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Главная страница Новости Турниры претендентов Турнир претендентов 2014

Турнир претендентов 2014

13.03.2014 - 31.03.2014

Турнир проходил в Ханты-Мансийске, победил Виши Ананд

Участники

1. Владимир Крамник
Рейтинг: 2753
25.06.1975
Россия

2. Сергей Карякин
Рейтинг: 2750
12.01.1990
Россия

3. Виши Ананд
Рейтинг: 2739
11.12.1969
Индия

4. Левон Аронян
Рейтинг: 2725
06.10.1982
США

5. Дмитрий Андрейкин
Рейтинг: 2714
05.02.1990
ФИДЕ

6. Шахрияр Мамедьяров
Рейтинг: 2710
12.04.1985
Азербайджан

7. Веселин Топалов
Рейтинг: 2695
15.03.1975
Болгария

8. Пётр Свидлер
Рейтинг: 2682
17.06.1976
ФИДЕ

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
{This is one of the ways to avoid the Marshall.} Bb7 9. d3 d5 {Still, if Black
insists on sacrificing the pawn, he can do just that.} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nbd2 {
Anand repeats the move he employed last year against Caruana.} ({After} 11.
Nxe5 {Black has a choice between} Nxe5 ({or} 11... Nd4) 12. Rxe5 Qd6 {In both
cases he has adequate compensation.}) (11. c3 {has appeared numerous times as
well, but Black has achieved fine results after} Qd7) 11... Qd7 $146 {Levon
immediately comes up with a novelty.} (11... f6 12. c3 (12. c4 bxc4 13. Nxc4
Bb4 14. Bd2 Kh8 15. d4 exd4 16. Bxb4 Ndxb4 17. a3 Nd5 18. Nxd4 Nf4 19. Nxc6
Bxc6 20. Qxd8 Rfxd8 $11 {1/2-1/2 (50) Dominguez Perez,L (2726)-Kasimdzhanov,R 
(2696) Tashkent 2012}) 12... Kh8 13. Bc2 (13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 {is worthy to
be checked in practice. The isolated pawn is a drawback, but White will have
some dynamic play exploting some weak spots in Black's camp.}) 13... Qd7 14.
Nb3 a5 15. a4 bxa4 16. Rxa4 Ncb4 17. Rxa5 Nxc2 18. Qxc2 Nb6 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 $44 {
0-1 (47) Anand,V (2786)-Caruana,F (2774) Moscow 2013}) (11... Nf4 12. Ne4 Na5
13. Bxf4 exf4 14. d4 Nxb3 15. axb3 Qd7 16. Qd3 Rad8 17. c4 Bb4 18. Nc3 bxc4 19.
bxc4 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qxd4 $11 {1/2-1/2 (24) Giri,A (2737)-Tomashevsky,E (2706)
Elancourt 2013}) 12. Nxe5 {Accepting the challenge.} Nxe5 13. Rxe5 Nf6 (13...
Nf4 $6 14. Nf3 {and now the piece sacrifice} Nxh3+ $2 {doesn't work in view of}
15. gxh3 Qxh3 16. Bd5 Qg4+ 17. Kf1 Qh3+ 18. Ke2 {The king escapes safely.}) 14.
Re1 {The rook should go back as it is vulnerable in the centre.} Rae8 {Black
doesn't have immediate threats, but the activity of all his pieces normally
yields him enough play to maintain the balance, which is quite typical for
this line.} 15. Nf3 Bd6 (15... Qf5 $6 16. Nh4 {and the queen has to go back,
losing time.}) 16. Be3 Re7 $6 {This is too innocuous. Black's play should be
somewhat more dynamic.} (16... Nd5 {It's recommended for Black to get one of
the opponent's bishops.} 17. a4 (17. Bd2 Rxe1+ 18. Nxe1 Qf5 19. Qg4 Qe5 {
With a double threat on h2 and b2.} 20. Nf3 Qxb2 21. Re1 $11) (17. Bxd5 Bxd5 {
[%csl Gd5,Gd6] is clearly okay for Black.}) 17... Nxe3 18. Rxe3 Rxe3 19. fxe3
Re8 $5 (19... c5 {is also perfectly playable.}) 20. Ng5 {Some exciting
variations could arise here.} Qe7 $1 21. Bxf7+ Kf8 (21... Kh8 $6 22. Bxe8 Qxe3+
23. Kh1 Qxg5 24. Qg1 $8 (24. Qg4 $4 Qe5 $19 {[%cal Ge5h2,Ge5e8]}) 24... Qf5 {
[%csl Rh3]} 25. Qe3 Bc5 26. d4 Bxd4 27. Qg3 $14) 22. Bxe8 (22. Qf1 Qxe3+ 23.
Kh1 Qxg5 24. Bd5+ Bf4 25. Bxb7 Qg3 26. Qg1 Re2 27. Rf1 Rxc2 28. Rf3 Rc1 29.
Rxg3 Rxg1+ 30. Kxg1 Bxg3 $11) 22... Qxe3+ 23. Kh1 Qxg5 24. Qe2 g6 $1 25. Rf1+
Kg7 26. axb5 Qg3 27. Rf7+ Kg8 28. Kg1 Bc5+ 29. Kf1 Qg5 30. bxa6 Bxg2+ 31. Qxg2
Qc1+ 32. Ke2 Qxc2+ 33. Kf3 Qxd3+ 34. Kg4 Qc4+ 35. Rf4 Qe6+ {Black gives a
perpetual check.}) 17. d4 (17. a4 {It also makes sense to open the a-file, but
after} c5 {it won't be easy for White to play d3-d4 and perform the
simplifying idea that Anand realised a couple of moves later.}) 17... Rfe8 (
17... Nd5 18. Bd2 Rxe1+ 19. Nxe1 Qf5 20. Qg4 $16 {Black doesn't have the move
Qf5-e5 as in the line 16...Nd5.}) 18. c3 h6 {Probably Levon underestimated the
consequences of the move that now follows. On the other hand, it seems that
White is already better. The pressure along the e-file doesn't bring Black any
dividends.} (18... Nd5 19. Bd2 Rxe1+ 20. Nxe1 c5 21. dxc5 Bxc5 22. Nd3 Bb6 23.
Qg4 $14) 19. Ne5 $1 {Sacrificing back the pawn just at the right moment.} Bxe5
20. dxe5 Rxe5 (20... Qc6 21. f3 Rxe5 22. Qd2 $14) 21. Qxd7 Nxd7 22. Red1 {
White's two bishops are not going to allow Black to enjoy this endgame.} Nf6 $6
{I think here was the last chance to change the course of the game.} (22... Nc5
$5 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 24. Rd7 Re2 25. Bxf7+ (25. Rxf7 Bd5 26. Rf5 c6 27. Rb1 g6 $14
{getting rid of the pin across the fifth rank}) 25... Kh7 {Black is a pawn
down, but has decent chances to hold thanks to his active rook.}) 23. c4 $1 c6
$6 {This is an ugly move to play, but Black's position is really unpleasant.} (
23... bxc4 24. Bxc4 Nd5 25. Bd4 R5e7 26. Rac1 Nf4 27. Bf1 $16) 24. Rac1 R5e7
25. a4 $1 bxc4 26. Bxc4 {Now White enjoys the pair of powerful bishops and the
superior pawn structure.} Nd5 27. Bc5 Re4 28. f3 R4e5 29. Kf2 {Slowly, but
surely Anand improves his position.} Bc8 30. Bf1 R5e6 31. Rd3 {The rook is
going to find some penetration squares on the b-file.} Nf4 32. Rb3 Rd8 33. Be3
(33. Rb8 Ree8 34. Ba3 Nd3+ 35. Bxd3 Rxd3 36. Rxc6 {was also great for White,
but, at least here Black has some hope thanks to the opposite coloured bishops.
}) 33... Nd5 34. Bd2 Nf6 (34... Bd7 35. Bxa6 Ra8 36. Bc4 Rxa4 37. Ra3 Rxa3 38.
bxa3 {The passed a-pawn will most likely decide the game in White's favour.})
35. Ba5 Rde8 36. Rb6 Re5 37. Bc3 Nd5 38. Bxe5 Nxb6 39. Bd4 $1 (39. Rxc6 Nd5 40.
Rc5 $18) 39... Nxa4 {The knight will not be able to come out alive from a4,
but I wouldn't even put a question mark to this move, as Black's position is
beyond saving anyway.} 40. Rxc6 Rd8 41. Rc4 Bd7 (41... Nxb2 42. Bxb2 Rd2+ 43.
Ke3 Rxb2 44. Rxc8+ $18) 42. b3 Bb5 43. Rb4 Nb2 44. Bxb5 axb5 45. Ke3 Re8+ 46.
Kd2 Rd8 47. Kc3 {A very good game by Anand, which definitely gave him a boost
of confidence from the very beginning of the Candidates tournament.} (47. Kc3
Nd1+ 48. Kc2 {[%csl Rd1] capturing the knight.}) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "1:25:42"]
[BlackClock "1:14:56"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 4. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:13]
For Dmitri Andreikin and Vladimir Kramnik, it was an opportunity to see
whether Kramnik would try to bully his way past Andreikin, or whether
Andreikin would be content to neutralize his prestigious opponent. Andreikin
is a superb technical player, but is not one prone to taking risks, and it
bears remembering that during his superb runner-up performance at the World
Cup last year, losing to the former world champion, he had only won a single
classical game, winning nearly all his matches in the rapid tiebreaks.} O-O {
[%emt 0:00:26]} 5. a3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} 6. Qxc3 {[%emt 0:
00:09]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 8.
Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:
00:28]} 10. Qa4 {[%emt 0:03:43]} (10. Qc3 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. g3 Bb7 13. Bg2
Na6 14. O-O c5 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Ne5 cxd4 17. Qxd4 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Nc5 19. b4 Nb3
20. Rxc8 Rxc8 21. Qd7 Rf8 22. f4 Qf5 23. Rf3 Qc2 24. Qd3 Qxd3 25. Rxd3 Nc1 26.
Rd2 Rc8 27. h4 h5 28. b5 Rc7 29. Nc6 Kh7 30. Rb2 a5 31. Kf2 Rd7 32. Ne5 Rc7 33.
Rd2 f6 34. Nd7 Nb3 35. Nf8+ Kg8 36. Rd7 Rxd7 37. Nxd7 Nd4 38. a4 Nxb5 39. axb5
a4 {Nakamura,H (2786)-Kramnik,V (2793) Antalya 2013 1-0}) 10... Qd7 {[%emt 0:
01:16]} 11. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:36]} c5 {[%emt 0:01:01]} 12. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:59]}
Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 13. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 14. Qe4 {
[%emt 0:00:22]} Qb5 {[%emt 0:01:52]} 15. b4 {[%emt 0:04:24]} bxc5 {[%emt 0:04:
02]} 16. e3 {[%emt 0:05:34]} Qb7 {[%emt 0:01:00]} 17. Qg4+ {[%emt 0:00:20]} Kf8
{[%emt 0:01:24]} 18. b5 {[%emt 0:03:05]} Bxb5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 19. Rb1 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 20. a4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:15]}
21. Qf4 $146 {[%emt 0:00:45]} (21. Qh4 Qe4 22. Qh6+ Ke7 23. Qg5+ Kf8 24. Qh6+
Ke7 25. Qg5+ Kf8 26. Qh6+ Ke7 {1/2-1/2 (26) Mamedyarov,S (2753)-Kramnik,V 
(2803) Moscow 2013}) 21... Qe4 {[%emt 0:01:21] To those seeing the opening
played for the first time, it might have seemed like sharp action was taking
place, but the entire Nimzo-Indian line played was a rinse-and-repeat
operation that had been seen up until the 21st move last year in
Mamedyarov-Kramnik (Moscow, 2013). That game ended in a draw shortly after on
the 26th move, and today was not a big improvement.} 22. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 23. axb5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} exf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 24. b6 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:07:51]} 25. gxf3 {[%emt 0:02:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:
33]} 26. f4 {[%emt 0:01:55]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:07:13]} 27. Bg2 {[%emt 0:02:09]} Rab8
{[%emt 0:00:21]} 28. b7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:03:35]} 29. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:53]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:02:47]} 30. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rdxb7 {[%emt 0:05:27]}
31. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:01:50]} Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 32. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} exd5
{[%emt 0:00:09]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8. f4
{This move has become very popular nowadays even on the top level too. White
has to wait for Nf6 and only then play f4.} b5 (8... Bb4 {is another main line.
}) 9. e5 Ng4 (9... b4 {was more popular} 10. Ncb5 $1 axb5 11. Nxb5 Qb8 12. exf6
gxf6 13. c4 bxc3 14. bxc3 Ra5 (14... Rg8 $5) 15. a4 Ba6 16. Kf2 Be7 17. Be2 $36
{and White has a powerful position, E.Hansen-Shankland, Barcelona 2013.}) 10.
Bg1 Bb7 11. O-O-O Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Be7 13. Bd3 (13. Kb1 {is also a typical move
in this type of position:} O-O 14. Bd3 f5 {is similar to the game.}) 13... f5 (
{In the event of} 13... d6 14. Qe2 (14. exd6 Bxd6 $13) 14... dxe5 15. fxe5 Nh6
16. Be4 O-O {and the position is balanced.}) 14. h3 Nh6 15. Rhg1 {A logical
decision. White avoids the pin and he prepares for g4.} O-O 16. Qe3 (16. Kb1
Kh8 (16... Rac8 17. g4 g6 $13) 17. g4 Bc6 $13 {Schrott-Collutiis, Amantea 2009}
) (16. g4 g6 {and Black can hold his kingside.}) 16... Rac8 ({The immediate} 
16... Bc6 {was also possible} 17. g4 g6 18. Kb1 b4 19. Ne2 a5 {and the
computer considers the position to be to White's advantage, but by human
measures, especially in a practical game the fight is completely double-edged.}
) 17. Kb1 Bc6 18. Ne2 (18. g4 g6 19. Ne2 Bd5 {transposes to the text move.})
18... Bd5 19. g4 g6 20. b3 Qb7 21. Rdf1 a5 22. Ng3 Bc4 $1 23. Be4 $6 {A
resourceful, but slightly risky choice!} (23. Be2 {was easier with a
double-edged fight.}) 23... Bd5 ({Probably after} 23... fxe4 {it is still not
so easy to play with White. For example:} 24. bxc4 Rxc4 (24... bxc4+ $6 25. Ka1
{and White's position is hopeful.}) 25. Nxe4 Rfc8 26. Rf2 Qd5 27. Rd2 Rb4+ 28.
Ka1 Ra4 29. c3 b4 {with some attacking chances for Black.}) 24. Bd3 Bc4 25. Be4
Bd5 26. Bd3 {and a draw. What a wonderful repetition!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nbd2 {Of course, this is a harmless line but
if White wants just to play chess, it is quite possible.} g6 5. e3 Bg7 {
For some reason this position belongs to the Grьnfeld Defence although the
corresponding move order (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Nbd2 d5 5.e3 c6) looks
quite artificial.} 6. Bd3 c5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] An unexpected switch.
Apparently, Black loses a tempo but the way White has exploited it (Nb1-d2)
can hardly bring him any benefit.} (6... O-O {is usually played.}) 7. dxc5 (7.
cxd5 $5 Nxd5 8. dxc5 {needs checking}) 7... Na6 8. Nb3 ({Now after} 8. cxd5
Nxc5 9. Bc4 ({or} 9. Bb5+ Bd7) 9... a6 {[%cal Rb7b5] Black obtains an
excellent position and will soon recapture the pawn.}) 8... dxc4 (8... Nxc5 {
is also possible but then White comfortably develops his pieces:} 9. Nxc5 Qa5+
10. Bd2 Qxc5 11. Rc1) 9. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 Ne4 11. Ke2 (11. Bxa6 bxa6 12. Ke2
a5 $1 {[%cal Rc8a6] with the initiative}) 11... Naxc5 12. Nxc5 Nxc5 $11 {
Black has no problems.} 13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. Bxd7+ Kxd7 15. Rd1+ Ke8 16. Rb1 Rc8
17. Bd2 Ne4 18. Bb4 f5 19. Ne1 a5 $6 {this pawn exchange is dubious as it
deactivates Black's rook.} (19... Rc4 20. a3 (20. Ba3 Ra4) 20... b6 {[%cal
Ya7a5]} 21. f3 Nf6 22. Rbc1 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Nd5 $11 {was the most solid
continuation.}) 20. Bxa5 Ra8 21. Rd5 (21. Bb4 $142 Rxa2 22. Nd3 Kf7 23. Rdc1
$36 {[%csl Ra2]} {although after} Rb8 24. Rc7 Bf6 {Black should hold on anyway.
}) 21... b6 (21... e6 $5 22. Rb5 Nd6 23. Rb6 Nc8 24. Rxb7 Rxa5 25. Rxg7 Ne7 {
[%cal Re8f8] The endgame with two pawns for the exchange is rather unclear.})
22. Bb4 $1 (22. Bxb6 Rxa2 $11 {[%cal Ra2b2,Re4c3]}) 22... Rxa2 23. Nd3 Kf7 24.
Rc1 (24. Rd7 {was another attempt to keep the initiative. Black could try a
surgical solution:} Rc8 $5 (24... Bf6 25. Rc1 $36) 25. Rxe7+ Kg8 26. Be1 $1 (
26. f3 Bxb2 27. Kf1 Nc3 28. Bxc3 (28. Rxb2 Rxb2 29. Nxb2 Nd5 30. Rd7 Nxb4 {
[%cal Rc8c1]}) 28... Bxc3 29. Rxb6 Rd8 30. Rb3 Bf6 {, and with a rook on the
2nd rank Black should not lose}) 26... Bxb2 27. Nxb2 Rc2+ 28. Kf1 Raxb2 29. Ra1
$1 Ra2 30. Rd1 Nd2+ 31. Kg1 {- here Black should still fight for a draw.})
24... Rha8 {Preparing to cover the 7th rank from a7.} 25. Rc2 Nf6 26. Ne5+ Ke8
(26... Kg8 $5 27. Rb5 e6 {[%cal Yf6d5]} {although after} 28. Nc6 {White keeps
initiative.}) 27. Rb5 R2a7 28. Ba3 $6 {White misses his best opportunity.} (28.
Rxb6 $4 Nd5) (28. Nc4 $1 {wins the b6-pawn with chances to convert his own.})
28... Ra5 $1 29. Rc7 (29. Rxa5 bxa5 {[%cal Yf6d7]}) 29... Rxb5 30. Rxe7+ Kd8
31. Nf7+ (31. Nc6+ Kc8 32. Rxg7 Rxb2+ $1 (32... Rxa3 $143 33. bxa3 Rb2+ 34. Kf3
Ne4 35. Kf4 Rxf2+ 36. Ke5) 33. Bxb2 Ra2 34. f3 Rxb2+ 35. Kd3 Rxg2 36. Rf7 Nd7
37. Rxh7 {was a better (but still, according to GM E.Gleizerov, rather
symbolic) attempt to play for a win.}) 31... Kc8 32. Nd6+ Kd8 33. Rxg7 Rd5 {
[%cal Ra8a3] Now White must give a perpetual.} 34. Nb7+ Kc8 35. Nd6+ Kd8 36.
Nb7+ Kc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:57:55"]
[BlackClock "1:45:08"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bb4
{[%emt 0:00:08]} 5. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 6. cxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:57]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 7. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} c6 {[%emt 0:06:
08]} 8. e3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:06:29]} 9. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Ng6 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} (9... Be7 10. Qc2 Ne6 11. Bh4 g6 12. h3 O-O 13. Nf3 a5 14. g4
b5 15. Ne5 Bb7 16. f4 c5 17. f5 cxd4 18. fxe6 dxc3 19. O-O d4 20. Nxf7 Qd5 21.
Bxf6 Qh1+ 22. Kf2 Qxh3 23. Ke1 cxb2 24. Qxb2 Bb4+ 25. Kd1 Bf3+ 26. Rxf3 Qxf3+
27. Be2 Qxf6 28. g5 Qg7 29. Qxd4 Rxf7 30. exf7+ Qxf7 31. Rc1 Rb8 32. a4 Qb3+
33. Rc2 Qb1+ 34. Rc1 Qb3+ 35. Rc2 Rc8 36. Bc4+ bxc4 37. Qd5+ Kf8 38. Qd7 Re8 {
0-1 (38) Aronian,L (2807)-Ivanchuk,V (2765) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011}) 10. O-O {
[%emt 0:05:16]} O-O {[%emt 0:03:27]} 11. f4 $146 {[%emt 0:01:31]} (11. Qc2 h6
12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Rae1 Nh4 14. f4 Bf5 15. Nf3 Rfe8 16. Nxh4 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Qxh4
18. Re2 Rad8 19. a3 Bf8 20. b4 Rd7 21. Rf3 Qd8 22. g4 a5 23. bxa5 Qxa5 24. g5
hxg5 25. fxg5 Qxa3 26. g6 Re6 27. gxf7+ Rxf7 28. Ref2 Rxf3 29. Rxf3 b5 30. Rh3
Rf6 31. e4 Qc1+ 32. Kg2 Qe1 33. Rg3 b4 34. Qe2 Qxe2+ 35. Nxe2 dxe4 36. Re3 Re6
37. Ng3 g6 38. Rb3 Kf7 39. Kf2 c5 40. Ke3 c4 {Vokac,M (2479)-Kravtsiv,M (2582)
Pardubice 2012 0-1}) 11... h6 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 12. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Qxf6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 13. f5 {[%emt 0:04:45] Levon Aronian had commented in the
round one press conference after his loss that statistically he had a record
for playing better after a loss, and he felt this. He quipped that he had
might as well get it out of the way as early as possible. Still, even he could
not have predicted what happened though, when Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, a great
tactician in his own right, carelessly went astray in a Queen's Gambit, and
fell for a vicious tactic that lost his queen.} Ne7 $2 {[%emt 0:03:40]} 14.
Nde4 $1 {[%emt 0:10:35][%csl Rf6]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 15. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} Qh4 {[%emt 0:06:27]} 16. g3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qh3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 17. Nf2
{[%emt 0:02:32]} Qxf1+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 18. Kxf1 {[%emt 0:09:17]} Nxf5 {
[%emt 0:03:34]} 19. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:07:06]} 20. e4 {[%emt 0:
02:50]} f6 {[%emt 0:06:39]} 21. Bc2 {[%emt 0:23:11]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:52]} 22.
Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 23. Kg1 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Bd6 {
[%emt 0:02:53]} 24. Nf4 {[%emt 0:09:55]} Bxf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 25. gxf4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:03:50]} 26. f5 {[%emt 0:06:49]} Bf7 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} 27. Qc3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 28. Bd3 {[%emt 0:05:50]}
Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 29. a4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 30. a5 {
[%emt 0:02:16]} Nc8 {[%emt 0:02:57]} 31. e5 {[%emt 0:01:54]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:
22]} 32. e6 {[%emt 0:04:30]} Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 33. Be4 {[%emt 0:02:28]} Nd5
{[%emt 0:08:39]} 34. Qh3 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Be2 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 35. Kf2 {
[%emt 0:01:12]} Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 36. Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:55]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 37. Qa3 {[%emt 0:03:14]} Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 38. Rg4 {[%emt 0:03:36]} Bb5
{[%emt 0:00:07]} 39. Rg1 {[%emt 0:02:35]} Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 40. Rc1 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Bf3 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:
46]} 42. Rd1 {[%emt 0:03:02]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 43. d5 {[%emt 0:02:10]} Nxd5
{[%emt 0:01:38]} 44. Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 {Out of the main moves at White's disposal, the text
is the sharpest try.} (3. Nf3 {and}) (3. e3 {can lead to the same lines,
depending on Black's reaction.}) 3... Nf6 ({After the main alternative} 3... e5
4. Nf3 {Black nowadays has started to prefer} Bb4+ ({The former main line was} 
4... exd4 5. Bxc4 Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 $5 ({The notes to Grischuk-Kasidzhanov in CBM
130 concentrated on} 6. Bd2 {, but the knight move is currently causing Black
more problems.}) 6... Nc6 7. O-O Nf6 8. e5 Nd5 9. Nb3 Nb6 10. Bg5 ({Even} 10.
Bb5 {is not so innocuous:} Qd5 11. Bxc6+ $5 (11. Nfxd4 O-O (11... Bd7 12. Nxc6
Qxb5 13. Nbd4 Qc5 14. a3 Bxc6 (14... bxc6 15. axb4 Qxe5 $13) 15. axb4 Qd5 16.
Nxc6 (16. Qg4 $5) 16... Qxc6 17. Be3 Nd5 18. b5 Nxe3 (18... Qxb5 $142 $1 19.
Qg4 Nxe3 20. Qxg7 O-O-O $13) 19. bxc6 Nxd1 20. Rfxd1 bxc6 21. Ra6 Ke7 22. Rxc6
Rhc8 23. f4 Rab8 $132 {Sanikidze,T (2559)-Donchenko,A (2413)/Deizisau/2013/})
12. Nxc6 Qxb5 13. Nxb4 Qxb4 14. Be3 Re8 15. Rc1 c6 16. f4 Nd5 17. Bc5 Qa4 $11
18. Nd2 $2 Qxd1 19. Rcxd1 b6 20. Bf2 Nxf4 21. Ne4 Ba6 22. Rfe1 Nd3 $19 {
Vachier Lagrave,M (2710)-Dominguez Perez,L (2712)/Beijing blitz/2011/}) 11...
Qxc6 12. Bd2 (12. Bg5 h6 $5 (12... Bg4 13. Qxd4 Bxf3 14. Qxb4 Nd5 15. Qd2 Bxg2
16. Rfc1 Qe6 17. Kxg2 Qg4+ 18. Kf1 Qh3+ 19. Ke1 c6 20. Qd4 Qxh2 21. Kd2 $16 {
Aronian,L (2783)-Stevic,H (2607)/EU-Cup Plovdiv/2010/}) 13. Bh4 g5 14. e6 Bxe6
15. Qxd4 Rg8 16. Rac1 Qd6 17. Bg3 {Lekic,D (2397)-Krivokapic,M (2413)/Tivat/
2011/} Qxd4 18. Nbxd4 c6 19. a3 Be7 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Rfe1 $11) 12... Be7 $5 (
12... Bxd2 13. Qxd2 O-O 14. Rac1 Qd7 15. Nfxd4 Qe7 16. f4 Rd8 {Edouard,R (2636)
-Magem Badals,J (2589)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/} 17. Nc5 $16 {Edouard}) 13.
Rc1 Qg6 14. Rxc7 Nd5 15. Rc4 d3 16. Ne1 Be6 17. Rd4 O-O 18. Nxd3 b6 $14 {
/~~, Radjabov,T (2610)-Rublevsky,S (2658)/Moscow rpd/2002/}) 10... Be7 11. Bxe7
Qxe7 12. Bb5 Bd7 13. Bxc6 (13. Re1 $5 O-O (13... O-O-O 14. Rc1 d3 15. Qd2 g6
16. Nc5 Be8 17. Bxd3 Kb8 18. b4 Nd4 19. Nxd4 Rxd4 20. Qc3 Rd8 21. Be4 Nd5 22.
Qb3 $40 {Anand,V (2788)-Dominguez Perez,L (2719)/Moscow blitz/2009/}) 14. Rc1
Rad8 15. Nc5 a6 16. Nxd7 (16. Bd3 $5 Bc8 17. Be4 $44) 16... Rxd7 (16... Qxd7
17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Qd3 Qd5 19. Ng5 g6 20. e6 $1 $14) 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Rxc6 Nd5
19. Rxa6 c5 20. e6 Rb7 21. Qd2 $14 {Nielsen,P (2687)-Guliyev,N (2554)/
Bundesliga/2012/}) 13... Bxc6 14. Nfxd4 (14. Nbxd4 Bd7 15. Qc2 O-O-O 16. Rac1
c6 17. Rfe1 Kb8 18. Qe4 h6 19. e6 fxe6 20. Ne5 Be8 21. Nef3 Bd7 22. Qe5+ Ka8
23. Nf5 Qf7 24. Nd6 Qf8 25. Nd2 Be8 26. N2e4 $44 {[%cal Rd6b7] Maletin,P (2584)
-Rublevsky,S (2678)/Olginka rpd/2011/}) 14... Bd5 15. Qg4 O-O 16. f4 g6 17. Nf5
Qd7 18. Ne3 Qxg4 19. Nxg4 Bxb3 20. Nf6+ Kg7 21. axb3 Rfd8 22. Rfd1 a6 23. Kf2
h5 24. Kf3 $14 {Eljanov,P (2717)-Stevic,H (2624)/EU-chT Novi Sad/2009/}) 5. Nc3
(5. Nbd2 c3 $5 6. bxc3 Bxc3 7. Rb1 exd4 8. Bc4 Nc6 9. O-O Qf6 10. h3 (10. e5
Qg6 11. Nh4 Qg4 12. Nhf3 Qg6 13. Nh4 Qg4 14. Nhf3 {1/2, Tikkanen,H (2586)
-Stevic,H (2612)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) 10... Qg6 11. Nh4 Qg5 12. Nhf3 Qg6
13. e5 Bxd2 14. Bxd2 Nge7 15. Qe2 Bxh3 16. Ng5 Be6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Rxb7 O-O
19. Rc1 d3 20. Bxd3 (20. Qe3 $5 $14) 20... Nd4 21. Qe3 Qg4 22. Rcxc7 Nf3+ 23.
Kf1 Nh2+ {1/2, Berczes,D (2555)-Stevic,H (2612)/Zadar/2011/}) 5... exd4 6. Nxd4
Ne7 (6... Nd7 7. Bxc4 Ngf6 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5 Ne5 10. Be2 c6 11. a3 Be7 12. h3
Qc7 13. Be3 Rd8 14. Qe1 Ng6 15. f4 Bc5 16. Rd1 Bxd4 17. Bxd4 Nxf4 18. Bxf6
Nxe2+ 19. Nxe2 Rxd1 20. Qxd1 gxf6 21. Nf4 {Gupta,A (2630)-Edouard,R (2670)/
Dubai/2014/} Qd7 22. Qf3 $5 $36) 7. Bxc4 Nbc6 8. Be3 O-O 9. Ndb5 (9. a3 Bxc3+
10. bxc3 Na5 11. Be2 b6 (11... Ng6 12. O-O Qe7 13. Qa4 b6 14. Nf5 Bxf5 15. exf5
Ne5 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. h3 Rd6 18. Rd4 Nac6 19. Rxd6 cxd6 20. Rd1 Rc8 21. Qe4 h6
22. Ba6 $36 {[%csl Ga6,Ge3] Gelfand,B (2720)-Rublevsky,S (2699)/ESP-chT/2008/})
12. O-O c5 $5 (12... Bb7 13. Qc2 Qe8 14. Rad1 Rd8 15. Bf4 Ng6 16. Bxc7 Bxe4 17.
Qb2 Rxd4 18. cxd4 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Qc6+ 20. d5 Qxc7 21. d6 $16 {Kamsky,G (2695)
-Short,N (2665)/Linares/1994/}) 13. Nb5 Be6 14. Qxd8 Raxd8 15. Nxa7 Bc4 16.
Rfe1 Bxe2 17. Rxe2 Nc8 18. Nxc8 Rxc8 19. Rd1 Nc4 20. Bc1 Rfd8 21. Ree1 Kf8 $44
{Navara,D (2702)-Nisipeanu,L (2659)/FRA-chT Mulhouse/2011/}) (9. O-O Nxd4 10.
Bxd4 Nc6 11. Be3 (11. a3 Qxd4 12. Qxd4 Nxd4 13. axb4 Be6 14. Bxe6 Nxe6 15. b5
f5 16. exf5 Rxf5 17. Rfd1 a5 18. bxa6 Rxa6 19. Rxa6 bxa6 20. f3 Kf7 21. Kf2 Rc5
$11 {Svidler,P (2769)-Ponomariov,R (2742)/Thessaloniki/2013/}) 11... Bxc3 (
11... Ne5 $5 12. Be2 c6 13. Qc2 (13. a3 $5) 13... Ng4 14. Bxg4 Bxg4 15. f4 Bxc3
16. Qxc3 Be2 17. Bd4 Bxf1 18. Bxg7 Qd3 $1 19. Bxf8 Qxc3 20. bxc3 Bxg2 {1/2,
Bosiocic,M (2593)-Jankovic,A (2584)/Sibenik/2011/}) 12. bxc3 Qe7 (12... Qxd1
13. Rfxd1 Na5 14. Be2 Be6 15. Bf4 Rac8 16. Rab1 b6 17. Ba6 Rcd8 18. Bxc7 Rxd1+
19. Rxd1 Bxa2 20. Rd4 Be6 21. Bd6 Re8 22. f4 f6 23. Kf2 Nb3 24. Rd1 Rd8 25. Ke3
Nc5 $132 {Ashwin,J (2427)-Zifroni,D (2490)/ISR-chT/2011/}) 13. f3 Na5 14. Bd3
b6 15. Qc2 Be6 16. e5 h6 17. Rfe1 Rad8 18. f4 Bc4 19. Be4 Bd5 $11 {Bologan,V 
(2700)-Rublevsky,S (2645)/Saint Vincent/2005/}) 9... Ba5 10. Qh5 (10. Qe2 a6
11. Rd1 Qe8 12. Nd4 Ne5 13. O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Nxc4 15. Qxc4 Nc6 16. Nxc6 Be6
17. Qc5 Qxc6 18. Qxc6 bxc6 19. a3 Rfb8 20. Rb1 Bc4 21. Rfd1 $11 {[%csl Gc4,Ge3]
1/2, Jankovic,A (2584)-Rublevsky,S (2681)/Rogaska Slatina/2011/}) 10... Be6 11.
Bxe6 fxe6 12. Rd1 Qe8 13. Qxe8 Rfxe8 14. Ke2 a6 15. Nd4 Nxd4+ 16. Rxd4 Bxc3 17.
bxc3 Rad8 18. Rhd1 Nc6 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. Rxd8+ Nxd8 21. Bf4 c5 22. Kd3 b5 23.
Be3 Nb7 $11 {Onischuk,A (2699)-Rublevsky,S (2704)/Poikovsky/2010/}) 4. e5 Nd5
5. Bxc4 Nb6 6. Bd3 {Lately the attention has shifted to the text move;
moreover Kramnik has a novel idea in mind.} (6. Bb3 {was the more usual
retreat, White exerts more control over the centre, especially the d5-square.}
Nc6 7. Ne2 (7. Be3 Bf5 8. Ne2 e6 9. Nbc3 {usually only transposes after} Qd7) (
7. Nf3 Bg4 $1 8. Ng5 Bxd1 9. Bxf7+ Kd7 10. Be6+ $11) 7... Bf5 8. Nbc3 e6 9. O-O
Qd7 10. Be3 (10. a3 Be7 11. Be3 Rd8 $5 12. Qc1 (12. Ba2 $5 O-O 13. h3 Kh8 14.
f4 Na5 15. Qc1 {Goldin,A (2585)-Frog,I (2295)/Elista/1995/} f6 $5 $132 {Chekhov
}) 12... Bd3 13. Rd1 Na5 14. Ba2 Bc4 15. Bxc4 Nbxc4 16. Rb1 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Nc4
18. Qg3 O-O 19. Nf4 Kh8 20. Nh5 Rg8 21. Qf4 Nb6 22. Rd3 Rdf8 23. Rh3 Nd5 24.
Qe4 g6 25. Nf4 c6 $14 {Beliavsky,A (2628)-Romanov,E (2640)/EU-ch Legnica/2013/
Black's setup is passive, but quite solid.}) 10... O-O-O (10... Rd8 11. a3 Be7
{can lead to Beliavsky-Romanov}) 11. a3 h5 (11... Kb8 12. Qc1 (12. Rc1 Qe8 $1 {
[%cal Rc6e5]} 13. Ba4 Nxa4 14. Qxa4 Bd3 15. d5 (15. Rfd1 Bxe2 16. Nxe2 Qd7 17.
d5 exd5 18. Nc3 Qe6 19. b4 d4 20. Nb5 Bc5 $1 21. Bg5 Bb6 22. Bxd8 Rxd8 23. Qc2
a6 $19 {Volodin,A (2509)-Kekki,P (2353)/Finland/2013/}) 15... exd5 16. Rfd1
Bxe2 17. Nxe2 Be7 18. Rxc6 Qxc6 19. Qxa7+ Kc8 20. Nd4 Qa6 21. Qxa6 bxa6 22. Nc6
Rd7 23. b4 Kb7 24. Rc1 d4 25. Bxd4 f6 26. f4 fxe5 27. fxe5 Bg5 $15 {Bologan,V 
(2732)-Nakamura,H (2778)/Biel/2012/}) 12... f6 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Rd1 Bd6 15.
Ng3 Bxg3 16. hxg3 Ne7 17. Bh6 Rhg8 18. a4 Nbd5 19. a5 Nxc3 20. bxc3 Be4 21. Re1
Bd5 22. Rb1 Nf5 23. c4 Bc6 24. d5 exd5 25. cxd5 Bxd5 26. Rd1 Ne7 27. Be3 $40 {
Riazantsev,A (2688)-Bluvshtein,M (2611)/Khanty-Mansiysk WCup/2011/}) 12. Rc1
Kb8 13. Na4 Be7 14. Nxb6 (14. Nc5 Qe8 15. Qe1 Bxc5 16. Rxc5 Bd3 $15) 14... axb6
15. Ba4 h4 16. f3 f6 17. Bb5 Qc8 18. Qb3 Na7 19. Bc4 {Grischuk,A (2748)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2695)/Nalchik/2009/ For more details about the game see the
notes in CBM 130.} Nc6 $11) 6... Nc6 7. Be3 Nb4 8. Be4 f5 {Karjakin opts for
the main move.} ({Maybe after this game Black will take a closer look at the
rare} 8... N4d5 9. Nc3 Nxe3 (9... c6 10. Nf3 h6 $6 11. O-O Be6 12. Nd2 $1 Qd7
13. a4 a5 14. Nb3 Bg4 15. Bf3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 e6 17. Ne4 Bb4 18. Nbc5 $16 {
[%cal Re4d6] Potkin,V (2671)-Bischoff,K (2547)/Bundesliga/2011/ Black should
seek active counterplay, otherwise White's space advantage can give him
serious pressure.}) 10. fxe3 g6 11. Qf3 (11. Nge2 Bh6 12. Nf4 Bxf4 13. exf4 c6
14. d5 cxd5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Qxd5 Qb6 17. O-O-O O-O 18. Qd4 Qa5 19. Kb1 Be6
20. a3 Rac8 21. Rc1 Rfd8 $36 {Sasikiran,K (2711)-Volokitin,A (2671)/Wijk aan
Zee/2009/}) 11... Bh6 (11... c6 12. Nge2 Bh6 13. h4 f5 14. Bd3 Be6 15. h5 Nd5
16. hxg6 hxg6 17. Nf4 Nxf4 18. Qxf4 Bxf4 19. Rxh8+ Kf7 20. Rxd8 Bg3+ 21. Ke2
Rxd8 22. Rh1 Kg7 23. Bc2 c5 24. Kf3 cxd4 25. exd4 f4 $11 {Greenfeld,A (2541)
-Avrukh,B (2668)/EU Cup Ohrid/2009/}) 12. Nge2 O-O 13. Nf4 (13. O-O-O Nc4 14.
Nf4 c5 15. Qe2 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 cxd4 17. Qf2 Qc7 18. Rxd4 Qxe5 19. Bc2 Qc5 20. Qh4
{Pragua,C (2505)-Titov,E (2185)/corr/1994/} Qxd4 (20... Bg5 21. Qg3 Bh6 $11)
21. Qxh6 Rd8 22. Nxg6 hxg6 23. Rd1 Qb6 24. Rxd8+ Qxd8 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Qxg6+
Kf8 27. Qh6+ Ke8 28. Qh5+ Kd7 29. Qd1+ $11) 13... c5 14. Rd1 Nc4 $2 (14... cxd4
$142 15. exd4 f6 $5 $13) 15. Qe2 Bg4 16. Bf3 $1 Bxf3 17. gxf3 b5 18. dxc5 Qb8
19. Nfd5 Nxe5 20. Nxe7+ Kh8 21. f4 $16 {Wojtaszek,R (2630)-Bartel,M (2601)/
Lublin/2009/}) 9. a3 $1 {[%mdl 8] While this is formally not a novelty (the
game from the following note was played last year), it's recommended by the
engines and the credit for working out the details belongs to Kramnik.} (9.
exf6 exf6 10. Nc3 f5 11. Bb1 (11. Bf3 N4d5 12. Bd2 Be6 13. Nge2 Qd7 14. O-O
O-O-O 15. Re1 Rg8 16. Bg5 Re8 17. Nf4 Nxf4 18. Bxf4 g5 19. Be5 Bg7 20. Rc1 Bxe5
21. dxe5 Qxd1 22. Bxd1 a6 23. g3 Re7 24. b3 Rd7 25. f3 Nd5 26. Na4 b6 27. Be2
Kb7 28. Bc4 c5 29. Kf2 Rgd8 30. Re2 Nc7 $17 {Karpov,A (2725)-Short,N (2685)/
Linares Candidates/1992/ This game made the whole line popular for Black.})
11... N4d5 (11... Bd6 12. Nf3 Be6 13. O-O Qd7 14. Re1 O-O ({A safe choice, but
even} 14... O-O-O $5 {is playable:} 15. Bg5 Rde8 16. a3 N4d5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18.
Ne5 Bxe5 19. dxe5 Qe6 20. a4 h6 21. Bc1 Kb8 22. Ra3 Rhf8 $13 {1/2, Potkin,V 
(2642)-Ivanchuk,V (2764)/Havana/2012/}) 15. Bd2 Kh8 16. Nb5 Nc6 17. Bd3 Bd5 18.
Nxd6 Qxd6 19. Bc3 Qg6 20. Nh4 Qg5 21. Nf3 Qg6 {1/2, Dreev,A (2694)-Ivanchuk,V 
(2764)/FRA-chT Belfort/2012/}) 12. Nf3 Nxe3 (12... Bd6 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Bd2 O-O
15. O-O Nxc3 16. bxc3 Be6 17. Re1 Bd5 18. Bd3 Nc4 19. Bxc4 Bxc4 20. Ne5 Bf7 21.
Nxf7 Rxf7 22. Qb3 $14 {Shirov,A (2715)-Ponomariov,R (2727)/Linares/2002/}) 13.
fxe3 Bd6 14. O-O O-O 15. e4 c6 (15... Be6 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Bxf5 Rxf5 18. Qb3+
Kh8 19. Ne4 Be7 20. Rfe1 c6 21. Rad1 Qc7 22. Qe6 Raf8 23. Ng3 R5f7 24. Ne5 Rf6
25. Qxe7 Qxe7 26. Ng6+ hxg6 27. Rxe7 R6f7 $11 {Ferre Perez,A (2100)-Schwenk,H 
(2176)/email/2010/}) 16. Qb3+ (16. a4 fxe4 17. Bxe4 Kh8 18. a5 (18. Qc2 Bg4 19.
Rae1 $2 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Qh4 21. g3 Qxd4+ 22. Kh1 Rae8 23. Rxe8 Rxe8 $17 {
Jakovenko,D (2713)-Rublevsky,S (2695)/Khanty-Mansiysk blitz/2013/}) 18... Nd5
19. Bxd5 cxd5 20. Ne5 Be6 21. Qh5 Rxf1+ 22. Rxf1 Qxa5 23. Ne4 Bxe5 24. Qxe5 Bg8
25. Nd6 Qb6 26. Rf6 Qxb2 27. h4 Qc1+ 28. Kh2 Qc7 29. Nf7+ Qxf7 30. Rxf7 Bxf7
31. Qc7 Kg8 32. Qxb7 Re8 33. Qxa7 h5 $11 {Tomashevsky,E (2720)-Romanov,E (2611)
/EU Cup Eilat/2012/}) (16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Bxf5 Rxf5 18. Qb3+ Kh8 19. Rae1 Qd7
20. Ne4 Raf8 21. Nxd6 Qxd6 $11 22. Re6 $2 Qd7 $2 (22... Qxd4+ $17) 23. Rfe1 Nd5
24. R6e5 Rxe5 25. dxe5 Qg4 26. Kh1 Nf4 27. Qc2 h5 28. Ng1 Ne6 29. Nf3 Nf4 30.
Ng1 Re8 $11 31. Qe4 $4 Rxe5 {Ding,L (2702)-Karjakin,S (2775)/Beijing blitz/
2012/}) 16... Kh8 17. e5 Be7 18. a4 Nd5 19. Ba2 (19. Nxd5 Be6 $1 $11) 19... Rb8
{[%cal Yc8e6]} 20. a5 Ne3 21. Rf2 f4 22. Ne2 Ng4 (22... c5 $5 $13) 23. Rff1 Ne3
24. Rf2 {1/2, Mamedyarov,S (2764)-Ponomariov,R (2741)/Tashkent/2012/}) (9. Bf3
$143 f4 $1 (9... N4d5 $6 10. Nh3 (10. Bg5 $5) 10... Be6 11. O-O Qd7 12. a4 a5
13. Nd2 Bf7 14. Nb3 e6 15. Nc5 Qc8 16. Nf4 Nxe3 17. fxe3 c6 18. Rc1 Bxc5 19.
Rxc5 $36 {Leon Varela,L (2170)-Campos Gambuti,L (2446)/Vecindario/2010/}) {/\}
10. Bxf4 Bf5 $36) 9... fxe4 {Karjakin had probably also analysed 9.a3 and
after some thought chooses the principled reaction.} (9... N4d5 10. Bd3 (10.
Bf3 $5 {/\} Nxe3 11. fxe3 g6 12. Ne2 c6 13. Qb3 Nd5 14. h4 Bh6 15. Bxd5 Qxd5
16. Qxd5 cxd5 17. Nbc3 Be6 18. Kf2 $14 {is a line given by Landa. In the
resulting position the bishops can't show their full strength and White has a
long-term edge.}) 10... Nxe3 11. fxe3 e6 12. Nf3 (12. Nc3 Qh4+ 13. g3 Qh6 14.
e4 $5 $13) 12... g5 13. Nc3 g4 14. Nd2 c5 15. Nc4 cxd4 16. Nxb6 Qxb6 17. Bb5+
Kf7 18. exd4 Bh6 19. Qd3 a6 20. Bc4 Qxb2 21. O-O Kg7 22. Ra2 Qb6 23. Kh1 Rd8
24. d5 Qe3 25. Qxe3 Bxe3 26. dxe6 Bd4 27. e7 Re8 28. Nd5 Be6 29. Rd2 Bxe5 30.
Re2 {1/2-1/2 Janczarski,M (2335)-Bartel,M (2273)/Warsaw 2013/EXT 2014}) 10.
axb4 e6 ({Subsequently Black has tried} 10... Bf5 {, but this doesn't seem
ideal:} 11. Nc3 (11. Ne2 e6 12. b5 $14) 11... e6 12. b5 Nc4 13. Qb3 (13. Qh5+
$5 Bg6 14. Qe2 $14) 13... Nxe3 14. fxe3 Qg5 15. Nge2 Qxe3 16. b6 Be7 17. Rf1
O-O (17... Bg4 {[%cal Rg4e2]} 18. Qc4 cxb6 19. Rf4 Bxe2 20. Nxe2 Rf8 21. Qa4+
Kd8 22. Rxf8+ Bxf8 23. d5 a5 24. d6 Rc8 25. Qd4 $44) 18. Rxf5 Rxf5 19. Qxe6+
Rf7 20. bxc7 Bg5 21. c8=Q+ Rxc8 22. Qxc8+ Rf8 23. Qc4+ Kh8 24. Nb1 $8 a6 25. d5
Qf2+ 26. Kd1 Qxg2 {Jakubowski,K (2532)-Azarov,S (2616)/CZE-chT/2014/} 27. Kc2
b5 28. Qc5 Qxe2+ 29. Kb3 $13) 11. Nc3 Bxb4 ({Houdini is critical here; its
main move is} 11... Nd5 $142 $5 {After the continuation} 12. b5 (12. Nxd5 Qxd5
(12... exd5 $5 $11) 13. Ne2 Bxb4+ 14. Bd2 Bxd2+ 15. Qxd2 O-O 16. O-O b6 $5 17.
Nc3 Qd7 18. Nxe4 Bb7 $132) ({Another idea, which deserves attention, is} 12.
Nh3 $5 Bxb4 13. O-O $44) 12... Bb4 13. Nge2 ({We don't know, what Kramnik had
in mind, but even here White has alternatives. An interesting try is} 13. Bd2
$5 Bd7 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Qh6 (15. Qg4 O-O 16. Nh3 Qe8 $132) 15... Bf8 $5 16. Qh3
Nb4 17. Kf1 Nc2 $13) 13... Bd7 14. O-O Bxc3 15. Nxc3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Bxb5 17. Qg4
Qd7 18. Rfb1 O-O 19. Qxe4 (19. c4 Bxc4 20. Rxb7 a5 $15) 19... b6 $11 {Black
has nothing to fear.}) 12. Qh5+ $1 {An important intermediate check, which
weakens the dark squares.} g6 13. Qg4 ({A plausible option is} 13. Qh6 $5 Bf8 (
13... Nd5 14. Nge2 $14) 14. Qf4 Nd5 15. Qxe4 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Qd5 17. Qg4 {
[%csl Re6,Re8] Once White finishes his development with Ne2 (f3) and 0-0, he
should be somewhat better in this complex position. Black's king will be
exposed no matter where it hides, also the e6-pawn is vulnerable.}) 13... Bxc3+
$6 {Black would like to enhance his control of the central light squares, but
this swap gives up the main defender of the vulnerable dark squares.} (13...
Nc4 14. Nge2 Nxe3 15. fxe3 O-O 16. Nf4 Rf5 17. O-O Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qe7 ({Perhaps
Black can afford} 18... a5 $5) 19. Qd1 a5 (19... b6 20. Qc2 Bb7 $6 21. Qa2 {
[%csl Re6]} Bc8 22. Nd5 $16) 20. Qc2 $14 {[%csl Ga5,Re4] /<=> wins the pawn
back with something of an edge, but the passed pawn gives Black counterplay.})
(13... Nd5 14. Nge2 {leads to the same position, but Black must reckon also
with} (14. Bg5 $5)) 14. bxc3 Qd5 15. Ne2 Bd7 16. O-O $36 {After a series of
natural moves Black has barely held on to his extra pawn, but his king is in
danger and White's compensation is obvious.} Qc4 (16... O-O $2 17. Bh6 Bb5 (
17... Rf5 18. Nf4 {[%cal Rf4d5,Rf4g6]} Rxf4 19. Qxf4 $18 {[%cal Rf4f6,Ra1a7]})
18. Bxf8 Rxf8 19. Rfe1 $16) (16... a5 17. Ng3 Bc6 18. Nxe4 $1 Kd8 $5 (18...
Qxe4 $2 19. Qxe6+ Kd8 (19... Kf8 20. Bh6#) 20. Bg5#) (18... Qc4 19. Nd2 Qd5 20.
Rfc1 Nc4 21. Ne4 $1 $40) 19. f3 Kc8 20. Bf2 $16) 17. Ng3 Bc6 18. Ra5 $5 {
An interesting manoeuvre, which will culminate in the positional exchange
sacrifice a few moves later on.} ({However, the engine remains unimpressed,
recommending} 18. Qh4 {instead. This prevents queenside castling and White
holds the initiative after} Kd7 19. Qh6 Raf8 20. Rxa7 Rf7 21. Qh4 $36) 18...
O-O-O $1 (18... O-O 19. h4 {[%cal Yh4h5] /\h5->}) 19. Rc5 {Kramnik is not
interested in the Pa7.} (19. Rxa7 Na4 20. Bg5 $5 (20. Ra8+ Kd7 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8
22. Qh4 Nxc3 23. Qxh7+ Kc8 24. Qxg6 b5 $132) 20... Rdf8 21. Bf6 $14) 19... Qb3
{Here the queen comes under attack in 6 moves. Admittedly this was not so easy
to foresee, but perhaps} (19... Qa2 $5 {was slightly better.}) 20. c4 ({
Probably an even more incisive move was} 20. Rxc6 $5 bxc6 21. Nxe4 Rde8 22. Nc5
$44 {|^ Here White has more than enough compensation and the defence faces a
difficult task.}) 20... Kb8 (20... Nxc4 21. Qxe6+ Kb8 22. Qxc4 Qxc4 23. Rxc4
Bb5 24. Rcc1 Bxf1 25. Kxf1 $16 {/+- and Black's connected passed pawns are not
advanced enough - White's material superiority should decide the issue.}) (
20... Rhe8 21. Rc1 $5 {[%cal Rd4d5,Yc5c6]} (21. d5 Nxc4 $5 (21... h5 22. Qxg6
exd5 23. Bg5 Qb4 24. Rxc6 bxc6 25. Bxd8 $16) 22. Rxc4 (22. dxc6 $2 Nxe3 23.
cxb7+ Kb8 $19 {[%csl Rc5]}) 22... Bb5 (22... Qxc4 23. dxc6 Qxc6 24. h3 $14) 23.
Rcc1 Bxf1 24. Nxf1 Qxd5 25. Ng3 $14 {/~~}) 21... a6 22. h3 $36) 21. Qxe6 {
Natural and strong - before taking on c6 White liquidates the central pawn.} (
21. Rxc6 {is less convincing:} bxc6 22. Nxe4 Qxc4 23. Rc1 h5 $5 24. Qd1 $44 {
/+/=}) 21... Rde8 (21... Rhe8 22. Qf7 Rf8 23. Qg7 $1 Nxc4 24. Bg5 Rde8 (24...
Rc8 25. Rxc6 bxc6 26. Nxe4 $16 {[%cal Ye4c5,Re5e7]}) 25. Rxc6 (25. Nxe4 Bxe4
26. Qxc7+ Ka8 27. Rxc4 Bxg2 28. Rc3 Qd5 29. Ra1 {[%cal Ra1a7]} a6 $8 $14) 25...
bxc6 26. Nxe4 Nxe5 $5 27. dxe5 Rf7 28. Nd2 $1 (28. Qh6 Rxe5 29. f3 a5 $132)
28... Qd5 29. Qh6 Rxe5 30. Qh3 $1 $14) 22. Qh3 $6 (22. Qf7 $142 $1 Ref8 23. Qe7
$1 Re8 (23... Nxc4 $2 24. Qe6 Bb5 25. Rc1 $18) 24. Qg7 {White first chases the
rook to a passive square and is on top after} Reg8 25. Qh6 Nxc4 26. Rxc6 bxc6
27. Nxe4 $16) 22... Nxc4 23. Rxc6 $5 {[%mdl 512] Finally this thematic
sacrifice. The important bishop held Black's setup together.} bxc6 $6 {Black
accepts the challenge, although he was already short of time.} ({The drawback
of White's 22nd move was that now Karjakin could have played the less greedy} 
23... Nxe3 $142 24. Nxe4 Qd5 $1 (24... bxc6 25. Nc5 Qb5 26. Qxe3 $16 {->}) 25.
Rc5 Qxe4 26. Qxe3 (26. fxe3 Rhf8 27. Rfc1 c6 $13) 26... Qxe3 27. fxe3 Rhf8 $132
{Here Black is close to full equality, moreover this choice was better for
practical reasons - simplification eases the defensive task.}) 24. Nxe4 $44 {
Here White not only has full compensation; the position can already be
evaluated as much closer to +/-, than to +/=.} Nb6 ({We have already seen the
line} 24... Nxe3 25. Nc5 $16 {above.}) (24... Qb2 25. Nc5 $16) 25. Nc5 (25. Rc1
{is roughly equivalent:} Qe6 26. Qg3 $16 (26. Qf3 $2 Qf5 $13 {White must
naturally avoid the queen swap})) 25... Qd5 (25... Qb2 $5 {at least keeps
White's rook out of play for the time being, but Black is still in trouble
after} 26. e6 $16 (26. Qf3 $5 Nd5 27. Qg4 $36 {[%cal Rg4d7]})) 26. Rc1 ({
Possibly even more dangerous is} 26. Ra1 $5 $36 {[%cal Ye3g5,Yh3a3] , but
White has already more than one way to improve his position.}) 26... Ka8 (26...
a5 27. Qg4 {[%cal Rg4e2,Re2a6]} Qa2 28. Qd1 {[%cal Yc1a1,Yd1d3]}) 27. Na6 $1
Kb7 28. Nb4 Qf7 (28... Qe4 {was somewhat more resilient:} 29. Nxc6 Qf5 30. Qg3
$36) 29. Qg4 (29. Bh6 $142 $5 {[%cal Rh3a3]} Nd5 30. Qb3 $18) 29... Nd5 30.
Nxc6 Re6 31. Na5+ Ka8 32. Qe4 Rb6 (32... Ra6 33. Bd2 Rb8 34. Rc5 c6 35. g3 Rb2
36. Qe2 $18) 33. g4 (33. Rc5 Rd8 34. Nc6 $18 {wins, but Kramnik is in no hurry.
White first gets some breathing space for his king; the defence will gradually
collapse.}) 33... h5 $6 $138 (33... Rd8 $142 34. Rc5 Rd7 $16) 34. Rc5 Rd8 35.
Nc6 $18 Rxc6 (35... Rd7 36. e6 $18) (35... Rc8 36. Rxd5 Rxc6 37. Rc5 $18) 36.
Rxc6 hxg4 {Black had only a few seconds left, with no increment until move 60
the defence is hopeless.} (36... Kb8 37. e6 Qe8 38. Rc5 c6 39. Bg5 Rc8 40. gxh5
gxh5 41. f4 $18 {[%cal Rf4f6]}) 37. Rf6 $1 Qh7 (37... Qd7 38. e6 Qd6 39. Bf4
Qc6 40. Rxg6 {[%cal Re6e7]} Qb7 41. Bg3 $18) 38. Bg5 (38. e6 $18 {[%cal Rf6f7]}
) 38... Qg8 (38... Qd7 39. e6 Qd6 40. Rf7 Re8 41. Rd7 $18) 39. Rxg6 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B32"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "Negi,P"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 {The Kalashnikov! A rare guest at
the top level, but Andreikin sticks with his strategy of surprising his
opponents early on.} 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 ({White can also continue with the
classical Sveshnikov setup with} 6. N1c3) 6... Be7 {To justify the Kalashnikov
Variation's idea of delaying ...Nf6, Black needs to keep the option of Bg5
alive otherwise White will just have an ideal setup with c4.} 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3
Be6 (8... Nf6 {Here White needs to avoid the tricks related to ...b5, after
that Black will find it hard to generate counterplay as ...Nf6 prevents both
Bg5 and f5.} 9. Be2 (9. Nc2 {now it will be hard to control b5, as the
following game shows:} Be6 10. Be2 Rc8 11. b3 O-O 12. a4 b5 $1 13. axb5 axb5
14. Nxb5 Nxe4 15. O-O d5 $11 {1/2-1/2 (18) Kramnik,V (2759)-Radjabov,T (2756)
Baku 2009}) 9... O-O (9... Nd4 {lets White get a pleasant bind after} 10. Be3
Nxe2 11. Qxe2 Be6 12. O-O Rc8 13. Rfd1 O-O 14. Rac1 Rc6 15. f3 Qb8 16. Nd5 $14
{1-0 (53) Maze,S (2553)-Degraeve,J (2523) Pau 2008}) 10. Be3 Be6 11. O-O (11.
Qd2 {is also possible, as White shouldn't worry about ...Ng4, but I like the
idea of delaying Qd2 for a few more moves.}) 11... Rc8 12. Rc1 h6 (12... Nb8 {
doesn't look like a worrying plan for White.} 13. Qd2 Nbd7 14. f3 h6 15. Rfd1
Ne8 16. g3 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Nd5 $14 {1/2-1/2 (86) Muzychuk,A (2587)
-Kovalevskaya,E (2405) Eilat 2012}) 13. Qd2 (13. f3 Nd4 14. Bxd4 exd4 15. Qxd4
d5 $1 $17) (13. Kh1 $5 {After seeing the 13. f3 variation, this move's idea is
apparent. White wants to play f3 next...and doesn't want to give up his bishop
on g4. A possible way to continue although the assessment isn't clear:} Ne8 14.
Qd2 Bg5 15. Nc2 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 {with slightly better chances.}) 13... Ng4 14.
Bxg4 Bxg4 15. Nc2 $1 {I don't think White should play Nd5 - after that ...Bg5
becomes viable for Black. Here, ...Bg5 would just weaken the d6-pawn.} (15. Nd5
Bg5 16. Nc2 Be6 17. Rfd1 Bxe3 18. Ndxe3 Qh4 19. f3 Rfd8 20. a4 Qg5 21. b4 Ne7
22. Ne1 Nc6 $11 {1/2-1/2 (25) Polgar,J (2682)-Radjabov,T (2740) Baku 2010})
15... Be6 16. b3 f5 {No other plan is apparent, but Black isn't prepared to
open up the position.} (16... Bg5 17. Bxg5 Qxg5 18. Qxg5 hxg5 19. Rfd1 $14) 17.
exf5 Rxf5 18. Rfd1 Qe8 19. Ne4 Rd8 20. Bb6 Rd7 21. Ne3 Rf4 22. f3 Qg6 23. Kh1
$14 {1-0 (74) Leko,P (2743)-Nataf,I (2526) Istanbul 2000}) (8... f5 {has been
tried a few times by Radjabov. Now the simplest option seems to be:} 9. Bd3 $5
f4 (9... fxe4 10. Nxe4 $14) 10. g3 Nf6 11. gxf4 exf4 12. Bxf4 O-O {An
interesting pawn sacrifice, but at first glance it is still Black who has to
prove enough compensation.} 13. Bg3 Be6 (13... Ng4 14. f4 $14) (13... Bh3 14.
Nc2 Kh8 15. f4 Rc8 16. Qd2 b5 17. O-O-O bxc4 18. Bxc4 Nb4 19. Bb3 $14) 14. Nc2
Ng4 15. f4 h5 16. Be2 $1 $14 {1-0 (56) Andriasian,Z (2600)-Jurcik,M (2481)
Yerevan 2014}) 9. Be2 Bg5 10. Nc2 (10. O-O $142 {is probably a better move
order to get the same position, but I believe Svidler felt it doesn't make a
big difference.} Bxc1 11. Rxc1 Nf6 12. Nc2 {converts to the notes to 11...Nf6
in the main game.}) 10... Bxc1 11. Rxc1 Qg5 {Andreikin tries to make use of
White's delayed 0-0, but I am not sure if it's any better than the normal
lines.} (11... Nf6 12. O-O O-O {is the normal way to continue.} 13. Qd2 Qb6 (
13... Qb8 14. Rcd1 Rd8 15. f4 exf4 16. Rxf4 Ne5 17. Rxf6 gxf6 18. Qh6 Rd7 19.
Ne3 $36 {1-0 (41) Amonatov,F (2616)-Rahman,T (2291) Dhaka 2013}) {Black has a
solid position, but he doesn't have any clear way of counterplay either. So
White can just continue to improve his position as well:} 14. Rfd1 ({Another
interesting way to continue is} 14. Qxd6 $5 $146 Qxb2 (14... Rfd8 15. Qa3 Nd4
16. Nxd4 Rxd4 17. Rfd1 $14) 15. Qd3 {/\ Nd5, and White should be able to
maintain some pressure.}) 14... Rfd8 15. b3 Rac8 16. Qe3 Qxe3 17. Nxe3 Nd4 18.
Kf1 Kf8 19. Nc2 Nxc2 20. Rxc2 Ke7 21. Rcc1 Rc6 22. f3 Rdc8 23. a4 Nd7 24. Kf2
a5 25. Rd2 Nc5 26. Bd1 Rb6 27. Nb5 f5 28. exf5 Bxf5 29. Rc3 Rf8 30. Re3 $14 (
30. Bc2 {was a blunder in the game.} Bxc2 31. Rdxc2 Ne4+ {1/2-1/2 (47)
Svetushkin,D (2588)-Bacrot,E (2705) Calvi 2013})) 12. O-O Rd8 13. b4 (13. Nd5
Rd7 {seems very awkward for Black, but it's not clear how White should break
through.} (13... Nf6 14. Nc7+ Ke7 15. Qd3) 14. Qd3 Nf6 15. Nb6 Rd8) 13... Nf6
14. Qd3 O-O 15. Rfd1 Rc8 (15... Ne7 {could be a better move, preparing for Nd5,
but White's position is slightly more pleasant anyway.} 16. Qg3) 16. Nd5 $1 b5
(16... Bxd5 17. exd5 Ne7 (17... e4 18. Qg3 Qxg3 19. hxg3 Ne5 20. Ne3 $14) 18.
Ne3 $14 {/\ c5...and Black doesn't have an easy way yet.}) (16... Rfd8 {
would have still held Black's position together, but White's position is still
pleasant.}) 17. Qg3 $1 {A brilliant idea. Black has two different ways to take
a pawn now...} Qxg3 ({The key line to calculate for White was after} 17... Nxe4
18. Qxg5 Nxg5 19. Nb6 $1 Rb8 20. Rxd6 Rxb6 21. c5 Nd4 22. Rxd4 $1 Rc6 23. Rd2
Bxa2 24. Ne3 Be6 25. Nd5 {gives White a very pleasant endgame despite being a
pawn down temporarily.}) 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 19. hxg3 bxc4 (19... Bxc4 20. Bxc4 bxc4
21. Rxd6 Rfd8 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Ne3 Nxb4 24. a3 Nc6 25. Rxc4 {The pawns are
equal, but White's structure is much better so Black should continue to suffer
for a while.} Nd4 26. g4 $14) 20. f4 $1 {Suddenly it's not so easy to deal
with the simple threat of f5.} ({Andreikin probably expected} 20. Rxd6 {
and now Black would be fine after} Rfd8 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 $11) 20... f5 (20...
Rfd8 21. f5 Bd7 22. Bxc4 $16) 21. exf5 Bxf5 22. Ne3 {White's pieces are coming
into play perfectly. Already under pressure, Andreikin wilts and collapses.}
Bd3 (22... Be6 23. Rxd6 exf4 24. gxf4 Rfd8 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. a3 $16) 23. Bxd3
cxd3 24. Nf5 $1 {Once again Svidler surprises with a strong alternative to the
expected Rxd3. All of Black's pawns are falling.} e4 (24... Rfd8 25. Rxc6 {
just wins the piece.}) 25. Nxd6 {The most clinical way.} (25. Rxc6 Rxc6 26.
Ne7+ Kg7 27. Nxc6 Rc8 {would give Black compensation.}) 25... e3 26. Nxc8 d2
27. Rxc6 e2 28. Rcc1 {A simple line to calculate for White.} exd1=R+ 29. Rxd1
Rxc8 30. Rxd2 Rc3 31. Rd5 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "1:11:11"]
[BlackClock "1:54:04"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c6 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 3. e3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 5. Qc2 {[%emt 0:03:27] Topalov-Anand was a classic clash,
in which the Bulgarian sidestepped the massive preparation he knew Anand would
still have stored up from his World Championship match, and played a flexible
Reti setup. This led to uncharted waters as of 7...Bd6. Black gave a pawn to
complete his development and play against the fractured pawn structure, which
was enough to keep the balance but no more.} e5 {[%emt 0:02:31]} 6. cxd5 {
[%emt 0:01:18]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 7. d4 {[%emt 0:05:02]} Bd6 $146 {[%emt 0:
01:55]} (7... exd4 8. Nxd5 Qa5+ 9. Bd2 Qxd5 10. Bc4 Qh5 11. Nxd4 Nf6 12. f3 a6
13. O-O-O Bd7 14. g4 Qc5 15. Nb3 Qe7 16. e4 Be6 17. Nd4 Bxc4 18. Qxc4 c5 19.
Nf5 Qe6 20. Qa4+ b5 21. Qa5 g6 22. Rhe1 Qc6 23. Bf4 gxf5 24. exf5+ Be7 25. Bd6
Nd5 26. Rxd5 Qxd5 27. Rxe7+ Kf8 28. Rd7+ Ke8 29. Qe1+ {1-0 (29) Nogueiras
Santiago,J (2482)-Abreu Delgado,A (2459) Havana 2004}) 8. dxe5 {[%emt 0:08:17]}
Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 9. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:06:53]} Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 10. Qe4 {
[%emt 0:03:48]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 11. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:06:34]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:
00:15]} 12. Bb5+ {[%emt 0:01:29]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 13. Qxd5 {[%emt 0:01:18]
} g6 {[%emt 0:07:53]} 14. Bd2 {[%emt 0:15:23]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:03:37]} 15. Qxe5+ {
[%emt 0:14:21]} Qxe5 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 16. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxc3+ {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 17. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 18. Ke2 {[%emt 0:03:23]}
Rac8 {[%emt 0:06:12]} 19. Rhc1 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 20. a4 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} Rhc8 {[%emt 0:02:50]} 21. Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} a6 {[%emt 0:02:
53]} 22. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:26]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 23. axb5 {[%emt 0:02:16]}
axb5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 24. Rb1 {[%emt 0:05:15]} Rxc3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 25. Rxc3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Rxc3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 26. Rxb5 {[%emt 0:05:32]} Bc4 {[%emt 0:
01:23]} 27. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:15]
} h5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 29. h3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 30. Rb1 {
[%emt 0:03:38]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 31. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} g5 {[%emt 0:08:
38]} 32. Ra1 {[%emt 0:05:06]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:02:13]} 33. Ra6+ {[%emt 0:01:41]} f6
{[%emt 0:00:18]} 34. Ra4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} h4 {[%emt 0:01:29]} 35. g3 {[%emt 0:
00:09]} hxg3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 36. Kxg3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:01:31]}
37. e4 {[%emt 0:02:10]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 38. f3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Rg1+ {
[%emt 0:00:11]} 39. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 40. Kg2 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 42.
Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 43. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kf7 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 44. Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:05:14]} 45. Kg3 {[%emt 0:
00:58]} Rg1+ {[%emt 0:01:48]} 46. Rg2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxg2+ {[%emt 0:00:54]}
47. Kxg2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 48. Kf2 {[%emt 0:02:33]} Kf4 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 49. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 50. Kg3 {[%emt 0:
00:27]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 51. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kxf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 52.
h4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} gxh4+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 53. Kxh4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kf4 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 54. Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:04] It is almost ironic that when they
shook hands on move 54, with their bare kings, their game was the first to end,
despite having the most moves played of all the skirmishes in the round.} Kxf3
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:41:29"]
[BlackClock "0:44:38"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:
11] This Russian duel was not as interesting as the other one. Andreikin
side-stepped the Berlin variation of the Spanish by playing an early 4.d3 but
he was unable to obtain anything at all from the opening. Some pieces came off
and the opposite colored bishop endgame with queens was an obvious draw that
the players did not play out.} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 5. c3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O
{[%emt 0:00:16]} 6. O-O {[%emt 0:00:13]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 7. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:
00:33]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 8. d4 {[%emt 0:05:46]} (8. h3 c6 9. Ba4 Ng6 10. d4
Bb6 11. Re1 Re8 12. Bc2 Bc7 13. Nf1 d5 14. exd5 e4 15. d6 Qxd6 16. N3d2 Bf5 17.
Nc4 Qd7 18. Bg5 Nd5 19. Ng3 Be6 20. Bxe4 Nxc3 21. bxc3 Bxc4 22. Qf3 Qd6 23. a4
Bd5 24. Bd2 Nf8 25. Rab1 b6 26. Qg4 Nd7 27. Bd3 g6 28. Qh4 f5 29. c4 Bf7 30.
Bc3 Qf6 31. Qxf6 Nxf6 32. d5 Nd7 33. dxc6 Nc5 34. Bc2 Bxc4 35. Rbd1 Rxe1+ 36.
Rxe1 Kf7 37. Nf1 Bd5 {Robson,R (2628)-Dominguez Perez,L (2757) St Louis 2014
0-1 (65)}) 8... exd4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 9. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} 10. h3 {[%emt 0:01:18]} d5 {[%emt 0:02:39]} 11. e5 {[%emt 0:13:18]} Ne4 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 12. Bd3 {[%emt 0:04:15]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 13. Qe2 {[%emt 0:
00:12]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 14. Rd1 {[%emt 0:06:23]} Bxd4 $146 {[%emt 0:30:05]
} (14... Nxd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. Nb3 c5 18. Be3 Qe7 19. Nxd4 cxd4
20. Bxd4 {1/2-1/2 (20) Svidler,P (2723)-Carlsen,M (2776) Gjovik 2009}) 15. Nxe4
{[%emt 0:01:33]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 16. Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 17. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 18. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:01:35]
} Qxc6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 19. f3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:04:29]} 20. b3 {
[%emt 0:05:23]} a5 {[%emt 0:11:01]} 21. Ba3 {[%emt 0:09:02]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:01:
38]} 22. Rac1 {[%emt 0:09:33]} Qb6+ {[%emt 0:04:25]} 23. Kh1 {[%emt 0:08:15]}
Be6 {[%emt 0:10:40]} 24. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:08:11]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 25. Rd1 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxd1+ {[%emt 0:02:39]} 26. Qxd1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} h6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 27. Qd8+ {[%emt 0:00:28]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Qd3+ {[%emt 0:00:32]
} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 29. Qd8+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 30. Qd3+
{[%emt 0:00:06]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D23"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Bg4 {This continuation is not
worse than} (5... Bf5) 6. Nbd2 {A quiet move preventing the doubling of
White's pawns but slowing down his development.} Nbd7 7. g3 e6 8. Bg2 Be7 9.
Ne5 (9. O-O {is usually played. The exchange of knights doesn't change the
evaluation of the position as equal.}) 9... Bh5 10. Nxd7 (10. Ndf3 Qa5+ 11. Bd2
Qd5 12. Qxd5 exd5 13. Bh3 Nb6 14. b3 Ne4 $11 {1/2 (64) Agrest,E (2591)-Shirov,
A (2709) Gibraltar 2006}) 10... Nxd7 (10... Qxd7 $143 11. Nb3 O-O 12. O-O $14 {
E.Grivas}) 11. O-O O-O 12. Nb3 {The knight has no better square but now its
invasion of c5 is not threatening.} (12. Nf3 Nb6 13. Qd3 c5 14. dxc5 Qxd3 15.
exd3 Bxc5 16. d4 Be7 $15 {0-1 (55) De Jong,M (2358)-Van Kampen,R (2560)
Haarlem 2012}) (12. Ne4 Qb6 13. b3 a5 14. e3 Qa6 15. Qxa6 Rxa6 16. Bd2 Ba3 17.
Bc3 Bg6 18. Rad1 Rfa8 19. Rd2 Rb6 20. Rfd1 Bxe4 21. Bxe4 a4 $132 {1/2 (60)
Alekseev,E (2714)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2672) Jermuk 2009}) (12. e3 e5 13. Nb3 exd4
14. Nxd4 Bf6 15. Qc2 Bxd4 16. exd4 Nb6 17. Be3 Qd7 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. Qc5 Nd5
$11 {1/2 (88) Vitiugov,N (2691)-Inarkiev,E (2683) St Petersburg 2012}) 12... a5
{[%cal Ra5a4]} (12... Bd6 13. e4 Qe7 14. Be3 Kh8 15. a4 a5 16. Bd2 Nb6 17. Qc2
Bb4 18. Be3 Nd7 19. h3 Rac8 20. Rac1 Rcd8 21. f4 f5 22. Bd2 $14 {1-0 (75)
Rashkovsky,N (2535)-Najer,E (2535) St Petersburg 1998}) (12... Qb6 13. e4 a5
14. Be3 a4 15. Nd2 Qa5 16. a3 e5 $11 {1-0 (68) Vaganian,R (2670)-Kulaots,K 
(2576) Moscow 2005 CBM 106 [Huzman]}) (12... Nb6 13. Qc2 a5 14. Rd1 Nd5 15. a3
Qb6 16. Rd3 Rfd8 17. e4 Nf6 $11 18. Be3 Ng4 $132 {0-1 (36) Nebolsina,V (2284)
-Cramling,P (2520) Clichy 2006}) (12... Rc8 13. Bd2 b5 14. Qd3 Qb6 15. Ba5 Qb8
16. Rac1 c5 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. e3 Bb6 20. Bb4 Bg6 21. Qxb5 Bxe3
22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Qxb8 Rxb8 24. Bd6 Rd8 25. Be7 Rd7 26. fxe3 Rxe7 $11 {1/2 (51)
Harikrishna,P (2672)-Le Quang,L (2635) Ha Long City 2009}) 13. a4 (13. e4 a4
14. Nc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Bf6 16. Bf4 Qd4 17. Qxd4 Bxd4 18. Bd6 Rfd8 19. Rab1 e5
$15 {0-1 (53) Oganian,M (2317)-Dastan,B (2402) Porto Carras 2013}) 13... Bb4 {
[%csl Gb4] Immediately exploiting the new outpost on b4. Black had many other
moves, some of them quite enough for equality:} (13... h6 $143 14. Bd2 Qb6 15.
Rfe1 Rfe8 16. Rac1 Bf8 17. Bc3 Qc7 18. Nd2 Qb6 19. Qb3 Qxb3 20. Nxb3 Bb4 21.
Bxb4 axb4 22. a5 $14 {1-0 (39) Dreev,A (2697)-Dobrov,V (2515) playchess.com
INT 2006}) (13... Nb6 14. Qc2 Nd5 15. e4 Nb4 16. Qc4 b6 17. h3 Kh8 18. Be3 Rc8
19. Rfc1 Qd7 20. Nd2 c5 $11 {1/2 (33) Aghasaryan,R (2443)-Andriasian,Z (2598)
Yerevan 2013}) (13... e5 $5 14. Rd1 (14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Qc2 Bg6 16. e4 $2 (16.
Qc3 $142 Bf6 17. Nc5 $11) 16... Qd3 $1 $15 17. Qxd3 Nxd3 18. Bd2 Bb4 19. Bc3 f6
20. Rfd1 Rfd8 21. Nd4 Nc5 $15 {0-1 (31) Goldin,A (2600)-Bareev,E (2675)
Beersheba 2005 CBM 110 [Huzman]}) (14. Qc2 Bg6 15. e4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Re8 (16...
Ne5 $1 17. Rd1 Bh5 $132) 17. Rd1 Bf6 18. Be3 Qe7 19. Nb3 Nb8 20. Qc5 $14 {
1-0 (45) Chuchelov,V (2538)-Tan,M (2416) Belgium 2012}) 14... Qc7 15. Bd2 Rfd8
16. Be1 exd4 17. Nxd4 Bf6 18. Bc3 Ne5 $1 19. Qb3 Nd7 20. Rd2 Qb6 $11 {1/2 (36)
Grivas,E (2509)-Caruana,F (2598) Wijk aan Zee 2008}) 14. e4 e5 $1 $146 {
[%mdl 8] A new but quite obvious continuation.} (14... Qe7 15. Be3 Rfd8 16. f4
Kh8 17. Rf2 f6 18. Bd2 e5 19. Bxb4 axb4 20. fxe5 fxe5 21. d5 Rac8 22. Rc1 $14
Nb6 $6 23. Qc5 Qxc5 24. Nxc5 cxd5 25. Bh3 $1 {1-0 (37) Ivanchuk,V (2769)
-Vallejo Pons,F (2697) Istanbul 2012}) 15. Be3 exd4 16. Bxd4 Kh8 (16... Bg4 {
[%cal Yg4e6] was quite good. Black is planning to bring his h5-bishop into
play by means of ...f7-f6 and ...Bh5-f7.}) 17. e5 $6 {Too aggressive.} (17. f4
$142 f6 18. Bf2 $11) 17... Re8 18. f4 f6 $1 {[%mdl 32]} 19. exf6 Nxf6 $15 {
White's centre has been destroyed, and the weakness of the light squares
remains.} 20. Bf3 Bxf3 21. Rxf3 Re4 (21... c5 $5 22. Be5 $140 Ng4) 22. Re3 $6 (
22. Qd3 $142 Qe8 23. Re3) 22... Rxe3 23. Bxe3 Qe8 24. Bb6 $6 (24. Bd4 Rd8 $1
$17 {[%cal Ge8e1,Gd8d1]} (24... Qe4 $143 25. Nc5)) 24... Qh5 25. Bd4 {White
has simply lost a tempo, and Black quickly activates his forces.} Re8 {[%cal
Re8e2]} 26. Rf1 $6 (26. Be5 Qf3 $17) 26... Ng4 27. Qc2 c5 $1 {A deadly blow.}
28. Nxc5 (28. Bxc5 Bxc5+ 29. Nxc5 Ne3 $19) 28... Rc8 {[%cal Rb7b6,Rb4c5,Gc8c2]
The pin is decisive.} 29. Rd1 Bxc5 30. Bxc5 h6 31. Kh1 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A39"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:18:15"]
[BlackClock "0:23:05"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:01:12]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} g6 {[%emt 0:04:14]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:04:04]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 6. Nxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:02:31]} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:
10]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 9. Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} d6
{[%emt 0:00:02]} 10. Qd3 {[%emt 0:02:57]} Be6 $5 {[%emt 0:01:41]} ({Black
usually develops the bishop after} 10... a6 {possibly followed by ...Rb8. A
recent game went} 11. Bg5 $5 (11. Bd2) (11. Be3) 11... Rb8 12. a4 {1-0 (59)
Edouard,R (2653)-Mista,A (2582) Germany 2013 CBM 158 [Meyer,CD]}) 11. Bd2 {
[%emt 0:13:42]} ({There is nothing wrong with taking the pawn. Black is mainly
struggling, but maybe concrete analysis proves he can reach an equality after
long forced lines.} 11. Bxb7 Rb8 12. Bg2 Qa5 13. b3 Rxb3 14. axb3 Qxa1 15. Nb5
(15. Bd2 {Donaldson,J (2399)-Watson,J (2345) Seattle 2003 CBM 093 [Ribli] (1/
2-1/2, 28)}) (15. Be3 Qa5 16. Nb5 Bf5 17. Qd1 a6 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Qa1 Qb4 20.
Qxa6 Ng4 $44 {Palac,M (2561)-Rogulj,B (2418) Zagreb 2014 (1/2-1/2, 22)}) 15...
Qa2 16. Nd4 Bd7 $14 {(1-0, 38) Cyborowski,L (2564)-Kovalev,A (2572) Krakow 2004
}) 11... Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:58][%csl Gc4][%cal Ge6h3]} ({It is worth mentioning
that Kramnik had had this position with White in a blitz game:} 11... Qd7 12.
Rfd1 Ng4 13. b3 Ne5 14. Qe4 Rab8 15. Rac1 Bf5 16. Qh4 Bf6 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. Qxg5
$14 {Kramnik-Anand, Moscow (blitz) 2009}) 12. b3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Bh3 {[%emt 0:
00:10] White somewhat relieves White's pressure after exchanging the second
minor piece, but the space advantage has a long term character.} 13. Rac1 {
[%emt 0:00:45]} (13. Rad1 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 a6 15. a4 $14 {1/2-1/2 (31) Romanishin,
O (2600)-Neverov,V (2515) Donetsk 1998 CBM 068 [Ribli]}) 13... Bxg2 {[%emt 0:
01:48]} 14. Kxg2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Qc6+ $146 {[%emt 0:10:53] This novelty does
not change anything essentially.} (14... Rd8 15. Rfd1 Rd7 16. e4 Ng4 17. Qe2
Ne5 18. f4 Nc6 19. Be3 b6 20. h4 Qb7 21. h5 e6 22. Qf3 Re8 23. Rd2 $14 a6 $6
24. Na4 {For reasons I do not understand now, in Marin-Lupu, Manresa 1996 I
accompanied the last move with a draw offer, which was immediately accepted.
Being a Hedgehog player with Black myself, I probably overestimated the
counterplay based on} b5 {In fact, after} 25. Nb6 Rdd8 26. Rcd1 $16) (14... e6
15. Rfd1 Rd8 16. Bg5 Rd7 17. Bxf6 $5 {This could have eventually led to
brilliancies.} (17. Qf3 Ne8 18. Rd3 Qc6 19. e4 Rc8 20. a4 {Neverov,V (2490)
-Dvoirys,S (2550) St Petersburg 1995 (1/2-1/2, 31)}) 17... Bxf6 18. Qf3 Bxc3 $6
(18... Bg7 19. Ne4 Qc6 20. h4 {offers White only some light pressure.}) 19.
Rxc3 Qc5 20. Qf6 Rc8 21. Rf3 $14 b5 $2 {In Jirovsky,M (2420)-Neverov,V (2515)
Lazne Bohdanec 1996 (1-0, 49) this thematic break could once again have led to
disastrous consequences.} 22. cxb5 Qxb5 23. Rxd6 $3 Rxd6 24. Qxf7+ Kh8 25. Qe7
$3 Qd5 $8 (25... Qd7 26. Rf8+ Rxf8 27. Qxf8#) (25... Rdd8 26. Rf7 $18) 26. e4
$1 Qxe4 27. Qxd6 $18) 15. f3 {[%emt 0:10:03]} e6 {[%emt 0:05:04][%csl Gd5,Rd6]}
16. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:03:16]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:07:25]} 17. Bf4 {[%emt 0:11:53]} Rd7 {
[%emt 0:12:05]} 18. Qe3 {[%emt 0:05:39][%cal Gf4h6,Gd1d4,Gd4h4]} (18. e4 $14)
18... b6 {[%emt 0:09:47]} 19. Rd3 {[%emt 0:04:39]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:10:22]} 20. Qd2
{[%emt 0:10:42]} Ne8 {[%emt 0:03:07]} 21. e4 $14 {[%emt 0:04:35][%csl Gd6]
Play is rather one-sided. Black's attempt to undermine the white space
advantage with ...b6-b5 will only create new weaknesses.} a6 $6 {[%emt 0:09:54]
[%csl Gb6,Gc5]} (21... Qc5 $5 {[%csl Ge5][%cal Yc5h5,Yc5a5]} 22. Rd1 Rcd8 23.
h4 $14) 22. e5 {[%emt 0:19:04]} h6 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 23. h4 {[%emt 0:05:40]}
Rcd8 {[%emt 0:06:21]} 24. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:58]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} (24... Kh7
25. a4 $16) 25. c5 $1 {[%emt 0:05:55] After this thematic break, the game will
oscillate between +/- and +/= until eventually reaching = by means of !!} Qxc5
{[%emt 0:03:13]} (25... d5 26. b4 $16 {[%cal Gc3e2,Ge2d4]}) 26. Ne4 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:01:21]} 27. Nxd6 {[%emt 0:01:11]} (27. Be3 Qb8 28. Nc5 $1
Bxe5 (28... Ra7 29. exd6 $18) 29. Nxd7 Rxd7 30. Bxh6 {[%cal Gh4h5] /\h5} Nf6
31. Re1 {[%cal Ge1e5]} Qb7 32. h5 $1 $16 Nxh5 $2 33. Rxe5 $1) 27... Bf8 {
[%emt 0:04:55]} 28. h5 {[%emt 0:04:32]} (28. Bxh6 $6 Nxd6 29. Bxf8 Ne4 $1) (28.
Be3 Qb8 29. Bxh6 Nxd6 30. Bg5 Ne4 31. Rxd7 Nxd2 32. Rxd8 Qxe5 33. R1xd2 Kg7 $14
{[%csl Gg2]}) (28. Nc8 $1 Rxd3 29. Nxb6 Rxd2+ 30. Rxd2 Rxd2+ 31. Bxd2 Nc7 32.
Nd7 $16 {[%csl Ra6,Rg8][%cal Gg2f1,Gf1e2,Ge2d3,Yd7b8,Yd2a5]}) 28... Nxd6 {
[%emt 0:06:33]} (28... g5 $2 29. Bxg5 hxg5 30. Qxg5+ Kh8 31. Nxe8 $1 Rxd3 32.
Nf6 Bg7 33. h6 $18) 29. exd6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} g5 {[%emt 0:02:53]} 30. Be5 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:02:37]} (30... Bg7 $1 $14) 31. Rc1 {[%emt 0:01:14]
} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:01:00]} 32. Qxc1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qb7 {[%emt 0:01:04]} (32...
Bxd6 33. Qd1 (33. Qd2 $2 Bb4 $1) 33... Bxe5 34. Rxd7) (32... Bg7 33. Bxg7 (33.
Qc7 $5 Rxc7 34. dxc7 Bxe5 35. c8=Q+ Kg7 $14) 33... Kxg7 34. Qc3+ Kg8 35. Qc8+
Rd8 36. Qc7 Qb8 37. Kf2 $16) 33. g4 {[%emt 0:01:46]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 34.
Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 35. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:40]} (35. Bxg7
Kxg7 $14) 35... Qb5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 36. Be1 {[%emt 0:00:27]} (36. Qxb5 axb5
37. f4 gxf4 38. Bxf4 $16) 36... Qe5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 37. Bg3 {[%emt 0:01:07]}
Qe2+ {[%emt 0:00:17]} 38. Bf2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 39. Qxa6 {
[%emt 0:00:24]} e5 $6 {[%emt 0:00:26]} ({The counterplay started with this
move will result in a briliancy, but the simple} 39... Qe5 $1 $11 {would have
retrieved the pawn and saved the game at once.}) 40. Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qxa2
{[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Qc6 $2 {[%emt 0:12:32]} (41. Qxb4 $16) 41... e4 $1 {
[%emt 0:04:49]} 42. fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 43. Rf3 {
[%emt 0:00:24]} Rxd6 {[%emt 0:02:30]} 44. Qe8 {[%emt 0:00:21]} f6 {[%emt 0:01:
06]} 45. e5 {[%emt 0:00:34] Svidler must have put big hopes in this pawn break.
The threat is Qg6+ followed by exd6 and the black rook does not have safe
squares along the sixth rank.} f5 $3 {[%emt 0:16:01]} (45... Qxe5 46. Qxe5 fxe5
47. Rxf8+ Kxf8 48. Bc5 Ke7 49. Bxb4 $1 $18) (45... Ra6 46. Qc8 Rb6 47. Qf5 {
[%cal Ge5f6]}) (45... Rb6 46. Kg3 {[%cal Gf2b6]} Ra6 47. Re3 {[%cal Ge5e6]})
46. gxf5 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Rf6 $1 {[%emt 0:03:16]} 47. Kg3 {[%emt 0:12:30]} (47.
Re3 Qg4+ 48. Bg3 Ra6 $1 $132 {[%cal Ga6a2]}) 47... Qe4 {[%emt 0:02:06]} 48. Bc5
{[%emt 0:02:11]} Qe1+ {[%emt 0:05:56]} 49. Bf2 {[%emt 0:02:25]} Qe4 {[%emt 0:
00:50]} 50. Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qe1+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 51. Bf2 {[%emt 0:09:10]}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
{Topalov chooses another way to avoid the Marshalll counterattack.} b4 9. d4 d6
10. dxe5 dxe5 {Aronian has a lot of experience in this line.} 11. Nbd2 {
The exchange of queens woudn't really suit Topalov's aggressive style.} (11.
Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nbd2 h6 (12... Bd6 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 Kf8 15. b3 Ke7 $6 ({After} 
15... Bb7 {Black is only slightly worse.}) 16. Bd5 $1 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na7 18.
Nxe5 $16 {1-0 (34) Karjakin,S (2721)-Aronian,L (2754) Nalchik 2009}) 13. a5 Bc5
14. Bc4 Ng4 15. Re2 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. h3 Nf6 18. Re1 Rab8 19. Nc4 Rb5 20.
b3 Bd4 $11 {1-0 (70) Carlsen,M (2862)-Aronian,L (2813) Saint Louis 2013}) (11.
Bg5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Nxe4 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Nxe5 Nc5 15. Nd2 Nxb3 $6 (15... Bf5 {
followed by Ra8-d8 looks like an improvement for Black.}) 16. Nxb3 f6 17. Nd7
Re8 18. Na5 Nf5 19. Nc5 Nd6 20. Nd3 Rb8 21. Nc6 Rb6 22. Ncxb4 $16 {0-1 (58)
Giri,A (2732)-Aronian,L (2801) Antalya 2013}) 11... Bc5 12. h3 Bb7 13. Qe2 {
This position is rather typical. Objectively, it should be equal. However, if
Black makes a few inncuous moves, he may find himself under pressure. White's
idea is to play Nd2-c4, attacking the Pe5 and bringing the knight to e3 and d5
or f5, according to circumstances.} Nd4 (13... Qe7 14. Nc4 a5 {followed by
Bb7-a6 at some point should be playable as well.}) 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. Bc4 $146 (
15. Qf3 Kh8 {1/2-1/2 (15) Jansa,V (2485)-Razuvaev,Y (2525) Kolkata 1986}) (15.
a5 $5 {is another option, typically fixing the Pa6 as a potential weakness.})
15... a5 16. Bd3 Nd7 $6 {This is a dubious manoeuvre.} (16... Qe7 17. Nf3 c5 $1
$132 {is a slightly strange idea to lock in his own bishop in the centre. But,
I don't see how White can trap it.}) 17. Nf3 Nc5 (17... Bb6 18. Bg5 f6 19. Be3
$14 {The light squares in Black's camp are seriously weakened.}) 18. Nxd4 exd4
19. Bf4 Re8 20. Qh5 Qe7 (20... Nxe4 $6 {was definitely risky.} 21. f3 g6 (21...
Nf6 22. Qc5 Nd5 23. Rxe8+ Qxe8 24. Bg3 $16) 22. Qh6 Nf6 23. Qh4 Nd5 24. Bg5 Qd6
25. Qxd4 c5 26. Qh4 $16) 21. Bb5 {Provoking the move that now follows, closing
the long diagonal for Black's bishop.} c6 22. Bc4 Ba6 (22... g6 {was also
possible, but the weakness of the dark squares near the king may become
apparent after} 23. Qf3 Ba6 24. Ba2 Ne6 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. Bg5 $36 {[%cal Gg5f6]
}) 23. Bd6 $1 Qxd6 24. Bxf7+ Kf8 25. e5 Qd7 26. e6 Nxe6 27. Bxe8 Rxe8 28. Qxh7
$6 {It was a tough dilemma for Topalov, which pawn to take. From a human point
of view it's really tempting to grab the one near the opponent's king. However,
objectively the other capture offered White more chances for a win.} (28. Qxa5
Bb7 29. Qxb4+ c5 30. Qb6 {I can understand why Veselin didn't go for this
position. It looks as if Black has good attacking chances on the long diagonal.
The concrete variations, however, are in White's favour.} Qd5 (30... Bc6 31. a5
Qd5 32. f3 Nf4 33. Rxe8+ Bxe8 34. Kh1 $1 Qg5 35. Qd6+ Kf7 36. Rg1 $16) 31. f3
Bc6 32. b4 c4 33. a5 d3 34. cxd3 cxd3 35. Rad1 Kf7 36. a6 d2 37. Re2 Qb5 38.
Qxb5 Bxb5 39. Rexd2 Bxa6 40. Rd6 {White's rook plus two pawns are superior to
Black's two minor pieces.}) 28... Qd5 29. f4 $1 d3 $1 {Both players are
playing the best moves, and this exciting position is heading into a forced
draw.} 30. f5 d2 31. Qh8+ Kf7 (31... Ke7 $5 {is very non-human, but also leads
to a draw after} 32. Qh4+ g5 $1 33. Qxg5+ Kd7 34. Rxe6 $1 d1=Q+ 35. Rxd1 Qxd1+
36. Kh2 Rxe6 37. fxe6+ Kxe6 38. Qg6+ Kd7 39. Qf5+ $1 Kd6 40. Qxa5 Qxc2 41.
Qxb4+ $11) 32. Qh5+ {Neither side can avoid the perpetual check.} Kf8 33. Qh8+
Kf7 34. Qh5+ Kf8 35. Qh8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "1:04:51"]
[BlackClock "1:23:48"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:08] A fabulous and exciting game, which was unfortunately
rather short. Kramnik busted out his Vienna which is a sharp and interesting
line, accepting a pawn sacrifice for which White obtains a strong initiative.
Anand's opening was not the best and it allowed Kramnik a creative and
powerful counterplay that resulted in a perpetual check.} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:13]}
2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:52]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 5. e4 {[%emt 0:09:15]}
Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 6. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 7. Bxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:46]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 8. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:
01:18]} 9. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Qa5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 10. Bb5+ {[%emt 0:01:00]}
Nbd7 {[%emt 0:02:31]} 11. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Qxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:37]} 12. Kf1
{[%emt 0:00:17]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 13. h4 {[%emt 0:01:27]} a6 {[%emt 0:01:
03]} 14. Rh3 {[%emt 0:03:13]} Qb4 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 15. Be2 {[%emt 0:01:09]} Ne5
{[%emt 0:02:48]} 16. h5 {[%emt 0:08:12]} (16. Rc1 Qd6 17. Rc2 Bd7 18. Rd2 Qc7
19. Rc2 Qd6 20. Rd2 Qc7 21. Rc2 {1/2-1/2 (21) Grischuk,A (2746)-Kramnik,V 
(2781) Moscow 2011}) 16... Qd6 {[%emt 0:09:27]} 17. Qd2 {[%emt 0:02:31]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:01:17]} 18. Rd3 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Qh2 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 19. f4 {[%emt 0:
10:05]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 20. Bf3 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 21.
Ne2 {[%emt 0:07:21]} Qh1+ {[%emt 0:03:58]} 22. Ng1 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Nd4 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 23. Rxd4 {[%emt 0:02:04]} Bb5+ {[%emt 0:01:11]} 24. Kf2 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} Qh4+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} 25. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:
18]} 26. fxe5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Qg5+ {[%emt 0:00:42]} 27. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Qg3+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} 28. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qg5+ {[%emt 0:01:16]} 29. Kf2 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} Qg3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 30. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qg5+ {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O b6 13. Qc1 Bb7 14. Bc4
Qa4 15. Bb5 Qa2 16. Re1 Rc8 17. Qd1 Qc2 18. Qe2 Nc6 {This system was popular
15-20 years ago.} (18... Qc7 {is the main continuation here; however, it
violates the so-called Znosko-Borovsky rule, which recommends keeping the
advanced queen in the opponent's camp as long as it can't be trapped, in order
to disrupt the opponent's manoeuvring.}) 19. Bd3 (19. e5 $6 {was tried by
Aronian in a recent rapid game:} Nd8 20. Bd7 Rcb8 21. h4 Bd5 22. Rbc1 Qa2 23.
Ng5 h6 24. Nh3 Ne6 25. Qe3 Rd8 $17 {1/2 (50) Aronian,L (2803)-Grischuk,A (2783)
Beijing CHN 2013 - White does not have sufficient compensation for the pawn.})
(19. Rec1 Qa2 20. Bc4 Nxd4 $1 21. Nxd4 Rxc4 22. Qxc4 Qxd2 23. Nc6 Qd7 24. Qd5
Bxc6 25. Rxc6 Qxd5 26. exd5 Be5 (26... Bd4 $1 $15 {[%cal Ya7a5,Yd4c5]}) 27. Kf1
Bd6 28. Ra1 {1/2 Tratar,M-Jelen,Ig/SLO-ch 1996}) (19. d5 Nd4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4 $13)
19... Qa2 20. Bc4 (20. Ra1 $5 {is challenging and needs more tests; in the
following games Black failed to reach safe equality:} Qb2 (20... Qb3 $2 21.
Reb1 Qe6 22. d5 $18) 21. Ra4 (21. Reb1 $2 Nxd4 $1 $19) 21... Qb3 (21... b5 $5
22. Bxb5 a5 $1 {[%cal Yc6b4]}) 22. Rea1 Nd8 23. R4a3 (23. Rxa7 Ne6 $1) 23...
Qe6 24. Rxa7 Rxa7 (24... Qd6 25. Be3 Nc6 $14 {E.Solozhenkin}) 25. Rxa7 Qd6 (
25... Ra8 26. Rxa8 Bxa8 27. h3 Qa2 28. Kh2 Qb2 29. d5 Nb7 30. Qe3 Nc5 31. Qf4
$1 $36 {1/2 (41) Polak,T (2525)-Kalod,R (2435) Olomouc 1998 CBM 067 [Ftacnik,L]
}) 26. Be3 e6 {1-0 (46) Solozhenkin,E (2565)-Beshukov,S (2460) Elista 1996 CBM
056 [Solozhenkin]} 27. Qb2 $14) 20... Qa4 21. Bb3 (21. Ra1 Qc2 22. Ra2 $2 Nxd4
$1 23. Rxc2 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 Rxc4 25. Rxc4 Ba6 $19 {A.Shirov}) 21... Qa3 (21...
Qa6 $6 {is hardly good as the queen is very passive here:} 22. Qe3 Na5 (22...
e6 $5 23. d5 exd5 24. Bxd5 (24. exd5 Na5 $13) 24... Na5 25. Qa3 Bxd5 26. exd5
Rc5 27. d6 Qc8 28. Qd3 Qc6 29. d7 Rd8 30. Bb4 Nb7 31. Rbd1 $14 {1-0 (47)
Petkov,S (2084)-Bazak,J IECC 2003}) (22... Rf8 23. Ra1 Na5 (23... Qb5 24. Rec1
$36) 24. Reb1 $1 {[%cal Rb3d1,Rd1e2]} e6 $5 (24... Rac8 $2 25. Bd1 $1 $18 {
Komarov,D-Liss,E/Paris/1996/ Ftacnik,L}) 25. Bd1 Bc6 26. Be2 Qc8 27. Ne5 $36 (
27. Bxa5 bxa5 28. Rxa5 Rb8 $11)) 23. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 24. Ng5+ Kg8 (24... Ke8 25.
Qh3 $1 $40 Bxd4 26. Qxh7 b5 27. Bxa5 Qf6 28. Red1 $1 {1-0 Poluljahov,
A-Tseshkovsky,V/Krasnodar 1996 (42)}) 25. Qh3 h6 26. Ne6 $1 $40 {A.Shirov} (26.
Qe6+ Kh8 27. Re3 (27. Nf7+ Kh7 28. Bxh6 {1-0 (32) Lobron,E (2590)-Konguvel,P 
(2395) Linares 1996} b5 $1) 27... b5 28. Nf7+ (28. Bxa5 Rc6 $1 29. Nf7+ Kh7 30.
Ng5+ Kh8 $10) 28... Kh7 29. Ng5+ Kh8 30. Nf7+ Kh7 31. Ng5+ {1/2 (31) Lautier,J
(2645)-Shirov,A (2695) Belgrade 1995 CBM 051 [Shirov]})) 22. Bxf7+ $1 {[%mdl
512] This sacrifice is the only way to cause Black any problems.} Kxf7 23. Qc4+
e6 24. Ng5+ Ke8 25. Nxe6 $44 {[%mdl 128] White has obtained excellent
compensation for the piece: Black's king is exposed and under attack, and
White's central passed pawns are his important trump for the future.} Qe7 26.
Nxg7+ (26. d5 $5 Nd4 $1 (26... Ne5 27. Qb3 $44) 27. Qa4+ b5 28. Rxb5 Nxb5 29.
Qxb5+ Kf7 30. Nxg7 Kxg7 31. d6 Qxd6 32. Qxb7+ Qc7 33. Bc3+ Kh6 34. Bd2+ Kg7 $11
) 26... Qxg7 27. Bc3 (27. Qe6+ $5 Qe7 (27... Ne7 28. d5) 28. Qg8+ Kd7 29. Qc4
Ke8 30. Qg8+ Kd7 31. Qc4 Ke8 32. Qa4 $5 Kf7 33. Qb3+ Kg7 34. Bc3 $44 {1-0 (68)
Caire,F (2474)-Domanov,D (2446) Lechenicher SchachServer 2011}) 27... Nd8 (
27... Nxd4 $1 28. Qxd4 Qxd4 29. Bxd4 Rc4 {led to an equal ending; however,
Peter Svidler decided to play for a win, hoping to make use of his extra piece
after all.}) 28. Qb3 Rc7 {Another risky decision.} (28... Rxc3 $5 29. Qxc3 Ne6
30. Rbd1 Rd8 {was possible here, consolidating Black's position.}) 29. Ba1 Rac8
30. d5 Qd7 31. Qb2 Qe7 32. Rbd1 {Now White evades a drawing line.} (32. Qh8+
Qf8 33. Qe5+ Qe7 $11 (33... Re7 $6 34. Qd4)) 32... Nf7 $6 (32... Rc2 33. Qh8+
Qf8 34. d6 Bc6 $1 35. d7+ Bxd7 36. Qxf8+ Kxf8 37. Rxd7 R2c7 38. Rd5 $13 {_|_})
33. e5 {White's pawns have finally started their advance.} Rc2 34. Qb5+ Qd7 $2
{Black gives up a piece in a much inferior version to that available on move
27.} (34... Kf8 $142 35. e6 Nd6 36. Qb3 $44) 35. Qxd7+ Kxd7 36. e6+ Kd6 37.
exf7 ({The best but very difficult move} 37. Bf6 $3 {was recommended by
commentators (GM Pavel Maletin and others). After} Ng5 $1 (37... Nh6 $2 38.
Be5+ Ke7 39. d6+ Kxe6 40. Bg7+) (37... R2c7 38. Bh4 $1 Rc4 $1 39. Bg3+ Ke7 40.
exf7+ Kxf7 41. d6 Re8 $1 42. f4 $1 {White's d-pawn can hardly be stopped.}) 38.
Be5+ $1 (38. Bxg5 Bxd5) 38... Kc5 $1 (38... Ke7 39. d6+ Kxe6 40. d7) 39. e7 $1
Bxd5 $1 40. e8=Q Rxe8 41. Bd4+ Kd6 42. Rxe8 {White should win.}) 37... Rf8 38.
Re6+ Kd7 39. Rf6 Re2 $1 40. f4 (40. Bc3 Re7 41. Bb4 Rexf7 42. Rd6+ Kc8 {
is harmless}) (40. Rf3 Re7 41. Ra3 a6 42. Bd4 Rexf7 43. Bxb6 {keeps an extra
pawn but after} Rf5 $1 {it can hardly be converted. Instead, White decides to
keep positional pressure.}) 40... Re7 41. Be5 Rexf7 42. Rd6+ Ke8 $2 (42... Ke7
$1 {was the right move, after which Black can activate his f8 rook (...Rf8-d8
or c8) and hold on.}) 43. Re1 (43. Ra1 {was possible but White finds a strong
forced manoeuvre.}) 43... Re7 44. Rc1 Rff7 45. Bf6 $1 Rd7 46. Re6+ Kf8 47. d6 {
[%csl Gd6,Gf6]} Kg8 {This attempt to rearrange pieces fails.} (47... a5 {
, trying to create counterplay, might be a better chance.}) 48. h4 Rf8 49. Bg5
{Preventing 49...Rc8.} (49. Rc7 Rxc7 50. dxc7 {was another good possibility.})
49... Kf7 (49... Kg7 50. h5 $1) 50. Rce1 Bc6 51. h5 $6 (51. Re7+ $1 Kg8 52. Rc1
$1 Rxd6 53. Rc7 $1 {[%cal Rc7c6,Rg5e7][%mdl 64] , winning an exchange and the
game, was not easy to find.}) 51... a5 $2 (51... gxh5 {was possible. It is not
immediately clear how White can win.}) 52. Re7+ (52. hxg6+ hxg6 53. Re7+ Kg8 {
was more accurate}) 52... Kg8 53. hxg6 hxg6 (53... Rxd6 54. gxh7+ Kh8 {was
still possible but White should win anyway after} 55. R7e6 Rxe6 56. Rxe6 Ba8
57. Rxb6 Kxh7 58. Ra6 {etc.}) 54. R1e6 Rf7 55. Rxg6+ Kh7 56. Rh6+ Kg7 57. Ree6
{Black resigned a bit prematurely but after} (57. Ree6 Rf8 58. g4 {[%cal Yf4f5]
etc. White should gradually win.}) (57. g4 $5 {[%cal Yf4f5] was even simpler.})
1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "1:02:12"]
[BlackClock "0:10:08"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} e5 {[%emt 0:02:52]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:00:
10]} d5 {[%emt 0:04:26]} 5. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 6. Bg2
{[%emt 0:00:09]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:25]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:
23]} 8. d3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:20]} 9. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:04:03]} 10. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:41] White has chosen a much less forcing
system of development than the usual a2-a3 followed by b2-b4. His main idea is
simple: Black is doing fine in the analogous Dragon Variation, so with
reversed colours and an extra tempo things should be even better for White
here. However, in such openings the step from comfortble equality to at least
a tiny advantage is at times bigger than just one tempo.} Re8 {[%emt 0:07:28]
Topalov played this rare move after seven minutes. Had he analysed it some
time ago, or was it over-the-board inspiration? Hard to say.} (10... f5 {
1-0 (43) Kamsky,G (2741)-Svidler,P (2769) Thessaloniki 2013 CBM 155 [Stohl,I]})
(10... f6 11. d4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Qxd4 14. Bxd4 c6 {0-1 (51) Ranola,
Y (2466)-Atalik,S (2561) Bratto 2005 CBM 108 ext [Atalik,S]}) ({The immediate
return of the knight to the central square is also possible.} 10... Nd5 11.
Nxd5 Bxd5 12. a3 {Only that now} Nd4 $6 {does not look too justified.} (12...
Re8 {would transpose back to the game.}) 13. Nxe5 (13. Bxd4 exd4 14. Ne5 c6 15.
Bxd5 Qxd5 16. Nf3 Rfe8 17. Re1 Bf6 {Markowski,T (2629)-Macieja,B (2624) Warsaw
2010 (1/2-1/2, 41)}) 13... Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Qd5+ 15. Nf3 Nxf3 16. exf3 c6 {
Black does not have full compenstion for the pawn, but just drawing chances.}
17. Qc2 (17. Re1 $5 Rfe8 18. Rc4 {[%cal Gc4e4,Rc4d4]}) 17... Rfd8 18. Rfd1 Rd7
19. Qc4 $14 {Malakhov,V (2715)-Sargissian,G (2678) Ohrid 2009 (1/2-1/2, 43)})
11. a3 {[%emt 0:05:08]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:06:42] A common method. The knight had
retreated at a moment when White had some dynamic threats in the centre. After
completing the development, Black makes the knight move back to the centre in
order to restrict White's activity along the long diagonal.} 12. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:
00:23]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 13. Qa4 {[%emt 0:06:39] A interesting position.
White has freer development but no real threats yet. On the other hand, for
Black it is not easy to choose the most flexible continuation. Most of the
moves imply some degree of commitment.} a6 {[%emt 0:03:54] I completely fail
to understand this move. Black anticipates the (not so real) threat Qb5,
avoiding any kind of piece committment. On the other hand, he gives away a
tempo and weakens his queenside slightly.} ({The natural} 13... Qd7 $2 {
is flawed tactically:} 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Qxd7 Nxd7 16. Bxd5) (13... Bd6 {
looks solid, but gives up the pressure along the d-file and exposes the bishop
a bit.} 14. Nd2 (14. Qb5 Ne7 15. Bc5 a6 16. Qa4) 14... Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Ne7 16.
Qb3 (16. Ne4 $5 $14) 16... b6 17. Bg5 c5 18. Ne4 Qd7 19. Bxe7 Bxe7 20. a4 Rab8
21. Qc4 Red8 22. Nc3 Qb7+ 23. Qe4 Rd4 24. Qxb7 Rxb7 25. b3 f5 26. f3 g6 $15 {
Vaganian,R (2595)-Gurevich,M (2630) Nabereznye Chelny 1988 (0-1, 52)}) ({
The more cautious} 13... Bf8 {gives up the possibility of ...Be7-f6, which
served Black well in the game.} 14. Rfd1 a6 (14... Qd7 15. Qb5 Rab8 $6 16. Bxa7
$1) 15. Rc3 {In the main game, the similar rook lift was met with ...Bf6,
threatening ...e4.} h6 (15... Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Nd4 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Rc2 c6 19. b4
Re5) 16. Rdc1 Rc8 17. Bh3 Rb8 18. Bf5 g6 19. Be4 Bxe4 20. dxe4 $14 {Grischuk,A
(2780)-Mamedyarov,S (2761) Beijing 2013 (1-0, 61)}) 14. Rc3 $146 {[%emt 0:23:
34] Most probably an over-the-board novelty, since Karjakin spent 23 minutes
on it. In view of Black's answer, its merits are debatable, though.} (14. Rfd1
Rb8 {Another ultra-cautious move, which I cannot explain too well.} (14... Bf8
$5) (14... Qd6 $5) 15. h4 (15. Qc2 {releases the pressure too easily.} Bd6 16.
Nd2 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Nd4 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. Ne4 c6 20. Qc4 Bf8 21. Re1 Qd7 22. b4
Re5 23. Rc2 Rbe8 $15 {Movsesian,S (2696)-Rublevsky,S (2695) Rhodes 2013 (1/2-1/
2, 58)}) 15... h6 16. d4 e4 17. Ne5 Qd6 (17... Bd6 $142) 18. Qc2 (18. Bh3 $36 {
[%cal Ge5d7,Gd7c5,Ge3f4]} Rbd8 $2 19. Bf4) 18... f5 19. b4 Qe6 20. Nxc6 Bxc6
21. Bf4 Rbc8 22. Bxc7 Rxc7 23. d5 Qf7 24. d6 Bxd6 25. Rxd6 f4 $132 {Bartel,M 
(2658)-Macieja,B (2617) Warsaw 2012 (1-0, 68)}) 14... Bf6 $1 {[%emt 0:04:29]
Immediately questioning the viability of the novelty.} (14... Bf8 15. Rfc1 Qd7
16. Bc5 $14) 15. Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:48][%cal Yc5d5]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:28] I could
not say if this solid, but slightly passive, move was dictated by the
underestimation of his own position, or the desire to keep playing rather than
forcing a draw, either by repetition, or general simplification.} (15... Be7
16. Rxd5 {If White does not wish to repeat moves, this is the only alternative.
} (16. Rc2 {[%csl Ga4]} e4 $1 $15 {[%cal Ga4g4]} 17. dxe4 $2 b5 $17) ({I am
slightly alarmed that my engine suggests} 16. Rcc1 {(??) which actually gives
away a tempo.}) 16... Qxd5 17. Nd4 Qa5 $1 {Both players may have considered
this impossible.} (17... Qd8 18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. Bxc6 $18) 18. Bxc6 {Under
different circumstances, this would win a piece, but the knight and the other
bishop are hanging.} Qxa4 19. Bxa4 exd4 20. Bxe8 dxe3 $11) 16. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:
04:45] Forcing a move which Black wanted to play anyway.} (16. Nd2 $5 Bxg2 17.
Kxg2 c6 18. Qg4 Nd5 19. h4 {might have lead to more interesting play.}) 16...
c6 {[%emt 0:03:23]} 17. Bg5 {[%emt 0:08:02]} Bxg5 {[%emt 0:19:30]} 18. Nxg5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 19. Kxg2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:
01:03]} 20. Qg4 {[%emt 0:06:59]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:03:32] The last exchanges have
taken the steam out of White's initiative. With the knight on d6, it will be
hard to carry out the queenside minority attack and otherwise it is not easy
to suggest a constructive plan for White.} 21. e3 {[%emt 0:10:15]} Qf6 {
[%emt 0:09:39]} 22. Ne4 {[%emt 0:15:54]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 23. Qxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:05] The knights have disappeared, but the weakness of the d3-pawn
prevents White from attacking with his queenside pawns at his own leisure.}
Rad8 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 24. R1c3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Re6 {[%emt 0:06:01]} 25. b4 {
[%emt 0:04:03]} g6 $1 {[%emt 0:02:34] Preparing an effective tactical trick.} (
25... Rd4 $2 26. exd4 exd4 {would be premature due to the unexpected} 27. Rxc6
$3 bxc6 28. Rxc6 $18 {based on the weakness of the eighth rank.}) 26. a4 $6 {
[%emt 0:06:01] Possibly overlooking Black's idea.} ({It would have made sense
to keep the b4-pawn defended with, say} 26. h4 {although this would already
mean giving up any hopes for displaying some activity.} Rd4 (26... h5) 27. Qf3)
26... Rd4 $1 {[%emt 0:05:46][%csl Gb4]} 27. exd4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} exd4 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Qxe6 $6 {[%emt 0:00:38] Underestimating the queen's
strength in the fight against two rooks.} (28. Qf3 Qxf3+ 29. Kxf3 dxc3 30. Rxc3
$11 {Black's advantage, based on the weakness of the d3-pawn, is purely
symblic.}) 28... Qxe6 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 29. R3c4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:
04:38]} 30. a5 {[%emt 0:04:10] White's position looks rock solid, but contains
an important weakness: the d3-pawn.} h5 {[%emt 0:03:17]} 31. h4 {[%emt 0:00:07]
} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 32. Kg1 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:04:04]} 33. Rc1 {
[%emt 0:03:22]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} (33... g5 $5 {It would have made sense to
weaken the white king's position:} 34. hxg5 (34. Rxg5 Qxb4 35. Rxh5 Qd2 {
[%cal Gd2d3]}) 34... Qg6 35. Rd1 h4 36. gxh4 Qe6 37. Kf1 Qh3+ 38. Ke2 Qg4+ 39.
Ke1 Qxh4 40. Rd2 Qh1+ 41. Ke2 Kg7 $5 $15 {[%cal Gg7g6,Gg6h5,Gh5g4] Despite his
slight material advantge, White has problems of coordination.}) 34. R5c4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Qe5 {[%emt 0:02:00]} 35. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:01:
17]} 36. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Qh1+ {[%emt 0:01:09]} (36... f5 $5 $15 {[%cal
Gf5f4]}) 37. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 38. Kf1 {[%emt 0:01:12]}
Qh1+ {[%emt 0:00:27]} 39. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 40. Kf1 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 e6 6. a3 Nbd7 7. Qc2 {This move
order has the following underlying reason: White wants to play e3-e4, and
compared to a similar position without a2-a3 a7-a5, Black has no check on b4
later on.} Qc7 {Black steps away from theoretical lines. Common continuations
are:} (7... Bd6 8. e4 {and}) (7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 b5 {[%cal Yc6c5]} ({or
immediately} 8... c5)) 8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 c5 {This continuation, yielding
White a queenside pawn advantage, is not always appropriate in this structure.
I am not sure that it is sufficient for equality in the present position.} 10.
Nxf6+ Nxf6 11. dxc5 a5 (11... Bxc5 12. b4 Bd6 13. Bb2 b6 14. Bd3 Bb7 15. Bxf6
gxf6 16. Be4 $14 {- Black does not have sufficient compensation for the
defects of his pawn structure.}) 12. g3 {Here, too, I would consider} (12. Bg5
{[%cal Yg5f6]} Bxc5 13. Bd3) 12... Bxc5 13. Bg2 O-O 14. O-O e5 15. Bg5 Ra6 16.
Rae1 Re8 {Black has protected everything although the potential weakness of
his light squares remains a serious concern.} 17. Qc3 (17. Bxf6 $5 Rxf6 18. Qc3
{[%cal Yb2b4]}) 17... h6 18. Bxf6 gxf6 {[%mdl 32] White has managed to double
Black's pawns after all but this version is far from ideal as White's pieces
are not prepared to blockade them.} 19. b4 Bf8 20. Nh4 axb4 21. axb4 Be6 $6 {
The bishop was placed quite well on c8.} (21... Rd8 $142 22. Rd1 Rad6 $132) 22.
c5 b6 (22... Rea8 23. Qf3 Ra3 24. Qxb7 Qxb7 25. Bxb7 Rb8 26. c6 Bxb4 {may be
still enough for equality, according to IM M.Notkin.}) 23. c6 {[%csl Gc6] This
pawn becomes an important factor.} Ra4 24. Rb1 Rd8 25. Qf3 Rd4 26. Nf5 (26.
Qxf6 Bg7 27. Qf3 e4 28. Qh5 Qxc6 $11) 26... Rdxb4 27. Rxb4 Rxb4 28. Qh5 {
Black has won a pawn but now White, dominating on the light squares and
combining the attack on Black's compromised king with a threat to push his
c6-pawn, certainly keeps the initiative.} Kh7 (28... e4 $1 {was probably the
right way to hold his ground:} 29. Nxh6+ (29. Rc1 Qe5 $1 30. Bh3 e3 $1) 29...
Bxh6 30. Qxh6 Qxc6 {, although even here after, say,} 31. Qxf6 {Black should
defend quite carefully as his king is unsafe.}) 29. Rd1 {[%cal Rd1d7]} Qc8 30.
Ne3 f5 $6 (30... e4 $142 $1 31. Nd5 Qxc6 32. Nxb4 Bxb4 $14 33. Bh3 $140 Qc5 $1)
31. Bd5 $1 {Eliminating the main defender of Black's position.} (31. g4 $5 fxg4
32. Qxe5 {M.Notkin}) 31... f4 32. Nc2 Ra4 33. Qxe5 Bg7 34. Be4+ $6 {This leads
to unnecessary complications.} (34. Qd6 $142 $16) 34... Kg8 35. Qxf4 f5 $1 36.
c7 Rxe4 37. Rd8+ Kf7 $2 (37... Kh7 $1 {enabled Black to hold on:} 38. Qd6 Qa6
39. Qxe6 Rxe6 40. c8=Q Qxc8 41. Rxc8 {- this ending should end in a draw.}) 38.
Qd6 Qa6 39. Rd7+ $1 {That's the difference! Black's king is under fire.} Kg6 $2
(39... Kg8 $142 40. c8=Q+ Qxc8 41. Rd8+ Qxd8 42. Qxd8+ {but that should be
winning for White in the long run.}) 40. Qc6 Qc8 41. Rd8 Rc4 42. Qxc4 $1 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:32:08"]
[BlackClock "1:18:36"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:
31] Andreikin's anti-Berlin left much to be desired and he was slowly
outplayed by Anand. He was able to pull himself together and organize a solid
defense, but Black's position was always superior. The simplification to the
endgame was well timed by the Russian and although it is arguable that Anand
could have pressed the final position a little, it was surely a drawn endgame.}
Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 5. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. Be3 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} (6. h3 Nd7 7. Be3 Bd6 8. Nc3 c5 9. O-O Nf8 10. Nd2 Ng6 11. Nc4
Be6 12. Ne2 Qd7 13. Nxd6+ cxd6 14. f4 exf4 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Rxf4 b6 17. Qh5 d5
18. d4 c4 19. b3 Qc6 20. Raf1 O-O-O 21. bxc4 Qxc4 22. Rxf7 Bxf7 23. Rxf7 Rd7
24. Rxd7 Kxd7 25. exd5 g6 26. Qg4+ Kc7 27. Qe6 Kb7 28. Qe7+ Qc7 29. Qe4 Qd7 30.
d6+ Ka6 31. Bf4 Rc8 32. Kh2 Rc4 33. Bg3 Rc8 34. Qd3+ Kb7 35. c4 Qc6 {Carlsen,M
(2872)-Caruana,F (2782) Zuerich 2014 1-0}) 6... Bxe3 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 7. fxe3 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:01:48]} O-O $146 {[%emt 0:
00:26]} (8... Ng4 9. Qd2 f6 10. Nh4 g6 11. Nc3 Bd7 12. Rf3 f5 13. g3 Nf6 14.
exf5 g5 15. Ng2 e4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. dxe4 O-O-O 18. Qa5 Qxe4 19. Qxa7 Bxf5 20.
Raf1 Bh3 21. Qa8+ Kd7 22. Qa3 Kc8 23. Qa8+ Kd7 24. Rf7+ Ke8 25. Rf8+ Rxf8 26.
Rxf8+ Kxf8 27. Qxd8+ Kf7 28. Qd2 Ke8 29. Ne1 Qc4 30. Qd3 Qb4 31. Nf3 Qxb2 32.
Nxg5 Qa1+ 33. Kf2 Qf6+ 34. Nf3 Bf5 35. Qd4 Qf7 36. Qh8+ Ke7 37. Qe5+ Kd7 38.
Qd4+ {Sutovsky,E (2655)-Carlsen,M (2714) Heraklio 2007 1/2-1/2 (86)}) 9. Qe1 {
[%emt 0:02:48]} Ne8 {[%emt 0:04:00]} 10. Qc3 {[%emt 0:14:44]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:
30]} 11. b4 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:03:40]} 12. a4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Bd7 {
[%emt 0:02:33]} 13. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:01:17]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 14. a5 {[%emt 0:
00:52]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:10:16]} 15. Ra2 {[%emt 0:06:34]} Rab8 {[%emt 0:06:35]} 16.
axb6 {[%emt 0:12:41]} axb6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 17. Qa1 {[%emt 0:05:23]} Nb7 {
[%emt 0:02:39]} 18. Qc3 {[%emt 0:08:01]} c5 {[%emt 0:01:31]} 19. bxc5 {[%emt 0:
00:12]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 20. Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:02:30]}
21. Rfa1 {[%emt 0:02:25]} b5 {[%emt 0:07:26]} 22. d4 {[%emt 0:27:17]} exd4 {
[%emt 0:05:45]} 23. exd4 {[%emt 0:02:30]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:02:10]} 24. Nxe4 {
[%emt 0:01:02]} Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 25. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:
08:25]} 26. Raa7 {[%emt 0:04:59]} h6 {[%emt 0:05:00]} 27. Qd2 {[%emt 0:03:09]}
Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 28. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:03:01]} 29. Rc3 {
[%emt 0:03:43]} b4 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 30. Re3 {[%emt 0:02:52]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:
22]} 31. h3 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 32. Rb3 {[%emt 0:01:56]} Qc4
{[%emt 0:02:13]} 33. Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:55]} Be4 {[%emt 0:01:15]} 34. Kf2 {
[%emt 0:02:26]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:06:42]} 35. Kxf3 {[%emt 0:01:39]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:
01:36]} 36. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Qxd3+ {[%emt 0:07:41]} 37. cxd3 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 38. d5 {[%emt 0:01:09]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 39. Ke4
{[%emt 0:00:42]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 40. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 41. Kc4 {[%emt 0:29:20]} Rc5+ {[%emt 0:03:13]} 42. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Rxd5+ {[%emt 0:01:02]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Marjanovic,S"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ {This (Rossolimo) Variation has become a very
important alternative instead of 3.d4. It has been played by the strongest
grandmasters including Kasparov and Carlsen.} Bd7 {Main move} ({The second
possibility} 3... Nd7 {has become very popular in the last two years}) ({
while the third possibility} 3... Nc6 {after} 4. O-O Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. c3 a6 {
is still playable.}) 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 ({When I was younger one often saw} 5.
O-O Nf6 $5 (5... Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4 $5 Nxe4 8. d5 Ne5 9. Re1 $44 {White has
adequate compensation for the sacrificed pawn}) 6. e5 dxe5 7. Nxe5 Qc8 {
or ...Qc7 with an unclear position.}) 5... Nf6 {The new main line (without ...
Nc6).} (5... Qg4 $6 {is too risky} 6. O-O Qxe4 7. d4 {with an advantage in
development.}) ({In the past} 5... Nc6 {was required. The old main line was
after} 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 (7... g6) 8. Nc3 g6 (8... Qg4) (8... e6) 9. f3 (
9. O-O Bg7 10. Nde2) 9... Bg7 10. Be3 O-O 11. O-O {with a small (space)
advantage.}) 6. Nc3 g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. O-O {Third possibility.} ({
The second possibility is} 9. h3 Qc7 $5 10. b3 Qa5 11. Bd2 Nxe4 $1 12. Nxe4 Qe5
13. Qb1 f5 14. Bc3 Qxe4+ 15. Qxe4 fxe4 16. Nb5 Bxc3+ 17. Nxc3 Na6 ({more often
} 17... Rf8 {was played immediately}) ({while} 17... Nd7 {was seen last year
in one of my games} 18. Nxe4 Rc8 19. Kd2 Nc5 20. Rhe1 Nxe4+ 21. Rxe4 Rf8 22. f3
Kd7 23. Rae1 Rf7 24. a4 Rc5 25. Kd3 Rg5 26. R1e2 h5 27. Ke3 Rgf5 {1/2-1/2 (27)
Spasov,V (2573)-Marjanovic,S (2464) Serbia chT, Kragujevac 2013}) 18. Nxe4 Rf8
19. O-O-O Rc8 20. Rhe1 Kd7 21. Kb2 Nc5 22. f3 Nxe4 23. Rxe4 Rc5 24. b4 Rcf5 25.
Kc3 Rf4 26. Rxf4 Rxf4 $11 {1/2-1/2 (51) Kasimdzhanov,R (2699)-Ivanchuk,V (2755)
Thessaloniki 2013}) ({The most playable move (in the new main line) is} 9. f3
O-O (9... Qc7 $5 {was played by Anand against Carlsen, 2012}) 10. Be3 Rc8 11.
b3 a6 {and Black has to play very precisely in order to equalise.}) ({While
after} 9. b3 $5 {(played by Negi and Rozentalis)} Nc6 10. Bb2 O-O 11. O-O {
we are getting to the same position as in the annotated game.}) 9... O-O ({
The previous move 9.0-0 allows a transposition to the old main line:} 9... Nc6
10. Nde2 Qe6 $5 (10... O-O 11. f3) 11. Nd5 Qxe4 12. Nc7+ Kd7 13. Nxa8 Qxc4 $13
{with an unclear position.}) 10. b3 $5 ({If} 10. f3 Rc8 11. b3 {Black
equalises thanks to Ivanchuk's improvement} d5 $1 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 e6 14.
Bh6 $1 exd5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 $11) 10... Nc6 11. Bb2 a6 12. Nd5 ({Black does not
equalise even after} 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 (12... bxc6 13. Qe2 Rad8 14. Rad1 Rfe8 15.
Na4 $14 {1-0 (40) Rodshtein,M (2683)-Svane,R (2472) Groningen NED 2013}) 13.
Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Qc5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Re1 (16. Qd2 $5) 16... e5 (16... Rfe8
17. Qd2 $14 b5 (17... e5) 18. Rac1 Qa7 19. b4 bxc4 20. Rxc4 $16 {1-0 (26)
Bacrot,E (2730)-Giri,A (2749) Germany 2013}) 17. dxe6 fxe6 18. Qd2 Rf6 19. Rad1
Raf8 20. Re2 e5 21. a4 $14 {1/2-1/2 (46) Adams,M (2752)-Areshchenko,A (2720)
Warsaw 2013}) 12... Nxd5 13. exd5 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 b5 16. Rfe1 {
In this position White has also a small (space) advantage.} Rfc8 (16... bxc4
17. bxc4 Rfe8 18. h4 h5 19. Re3 e5 (19... Rac8 $5) 20. dxe6 Rxe6 21. c5 $14 {
1/2-1/2 (35) Negi,P (2638)-Jianu,V (2500) Cappelle la Grande 2013}) 17. h4 $146
{A novelty.} ({After} 17. Re4 bxc4 18. bxc4 {Black can try} Rc7 $5 (18... Qa7
19. Qd2 Rab8 20. Rae1 Rc7 21. h4 Rbb7 22. h5 $14 {1/2-1/2 (63) Rozentalis,E 
(2592)-Socko,B (2617) Austria 2013}) 19. Rae1 Rac8 {as in the annotated game.})
17... bxc4 18. bxc4 {Black has almost a balanced position: he has a weak pawn
on e7, while White has one on c4.} h5 {one more precise move} ({If} 18... Ra7
19. h5 {Black can equalise with some effort:} Rac7 20. Rac1 Qf5 21. h6 (21.
hxg6 hxg6 22. Rc3 a5 $11) 21... f6 22. Re4 Qg5 23. Rce1 Qxh6 24. Rxe7 Rxe7 25.
Rxe7 Qc1+ 26. Kh2 Qh6+ 27. Kg3 Qg5+ 28. Kf3 Qf5+ 29. Ke3 Qg5+ 30. Ke2 Qc1 $11)
19. Re4 Rc7 20. Rae1 Rac8 21. Qb6 (21. Rxe7 Qxe7 22. Rxe7 Rxe7 23. g4 (23. g3
Re2 $13) 23... hxg4 24. Qxg4 Rec7 25. h5 Rxc4 26. Qg5 Kg7 27. hxg6 f6 28. Qf5
Rh8 $11) (21. Qd3 Qa4 22. Qb3 Qxb3 23. axb3 Rb8 $11) 21... a5 (21... Qa4 22. c5
Qb5 23. Qxb5 axb5 24. c6 e6 25. dxe6 Rxc6 26. exf7+ Kxf7 $11 {is an equal
ending.}) ({After} 21... Rxc4 22. Rxe7 Qf5 23. Qxd6 Rc2 24. Qb6 Rd2 $44 {
Black has adequate compensation.}) 22. Qxa5 (22. Rxe7 Qxe7 23. Rxe7 Rxe7 24.
Qxa5 (24. Qxd6 Re1+ 25. Kh2 Rxc4 26. Qd8+ Kg7 27. Qxa5 Rxh4+ 28. Kg3 Rg4+ 29.
Kf3 Rd1 $11) 24... Re4 25. g3 Rcxc4 26. Qd8+ Kg7 27. Qxd6 Re2 $11) ({The last
try to get a small advantage was} 22. Qb3 $5 Rb7 23. Qc3 a4 24. g3) 22... Rxc4
23. Rxe7 Qf5 $44 {Black has sufficient compensation.} 24. Qd2 Qf4 (24... Kh7
25. Qg5 $14) 25. Qxf4 Rxf4 26. g3 (26. Rd7 Rc2 27. f3 Rxa2 28. Rxd6 Rd4 $11)
26... Rf5 27. a4 Rxd5 28. Re8+ Rxe8 29. Rxe8+ Kg7 30. Ra8 Rd3 31. a5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 b6 5. Nc3 Bb7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5+ c6 8. Bd3
{Another harmless system "just for play".} Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. b3 Nbd7 11. Bb2
Re8 (11... Bd6 {(preventing Nf3-e5) is played more often. Here are some
classic examples:} 12. Ne2 (12. Rc1 Re8 13. Ne2 Qe7 14. Ng3 g6 15. Qe2 Ba3 16.
Rfe1 Qd6 17. Qc2 Bxb2 18. Qxb2 c5 $11 {0-1 (80) Gelfand,B (2700)-Karpov,A 
(2780) Sanghi Nagar 1995 CBM 045 [Gelfand,B]}) 12... Re8 13. Ng3 g6 14. Rc1 a5
15. Qc2 Qe7 16. Rfe1 Ba3 $6 (16... Ne4 $5 $11 {M.Marin}) (16... Qf8 $5 {
Ivanchuk}) 17. Bxa3 Qxa3 18. h4 $36 Qd6 19. h5 Nf8 20. e4 $14 {0-1 (50)
Fressinet,L (2708)-Ivanchuk,V (2731) Elancourt 2013 CBM 157 [Marin,M]}) 12. Ne5
(12. Qc2 Rc8 13. Rac1 Bd6 14. Rfe1 g6 15. Ne2 Ne4 16. Ng3 f5 17. Re2 Qe7 18.
Nd2 Ba3 19. Ngf1 Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Qd6 $11 {1/2 (37) Berescu,A (2461)-Malakhatko,V
(2559) Abu Dhabi 2013}) (12. Ne2 Bf8 (12... Bd6 {- see above}) 13. Ng3 Rc8 14.
Qe2 g6 15. Rac1 Rc7 16. Ba6 Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Qc8 18. Qd3 Ne4 19. Rc2 Bg7 20. Rfc1
Qb7 21. Qe2 f5 $132 {0-1 (38) Malaniuk,V (2504)-Gavrilov,A (2498) Krakow 2012})
12... Bd6 {This move is unnecessary as White is planning to continue f2-f4
anyway.} (12... Bb4 13. f4 a6 14. Bf5 Nf8 15. Rc1 b5 16. Ne2 Qb6 17. Ng3 Bd6
18. Qc2 a5 19. Rf3 a4 20. Bd3 axb3 21. axb3 Ng6 22. Nf5 $36 {1-0 (40) Lukacs,P
(2480)-Votava,J (2440) Budapest 1995}) (12... a6 13. Ne2 c5 14. Ng3 Bf8 15. Rc1
g6 16. Rc2 Bg7 17. f4 Rc8 18. f5 Rc7 19. Nxd7 Rxd7 20. dxc5 bxc5 21. Rxc5 d4 $1
$132 22. e4 Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 Rxe4 25. Qd3 Re8 {1/2 (50)
Gaprindashvili,V (2476)-Anastasian,A (2591) Batumi 2002}) (12... c5 13. f4 a6
14. Qf3 b5 15. Kh1 Ra7 16. Qh3 Ba8 17. Bf5 Nf8 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. Ne2 Qb6 20.
Nd4 Rc7 21. Rac1 Bb7 22. Rc2 Bd6 23. Rxc7 Bxc7 24. Ng4 Bd8 {1/2 (33) Lukacs,P 
(2455)-Lau,R (2520) Budapest 1992}) 13. f4 {A double-edged move in such a
structure: White supports his e5-knight and develops his kingside initiative
but weakens the e4-square.} c5 14. Qf3 cxd4 15. exd4 Bb4 {Black is fighting
for the e4-square.} 16. Ne2 {This knight is not so valuable, it was better to
allow Black to take it.} (16. Rac1 $5) 16... Ne4 17. a3 Bf8 18. Rad1 a6 (18...
Ndf6 19. Bb5 Re7 {was quite possible, with a good position for Black.}) 19. a4
Rc8 ({Here, too,} 19... Ndf6 {was more accurate, preventing White's next move.}
) 20. Qh5 {White provokes ...g7-g6, weakening the position of Black's king.} g6
21. Qh3 Ndf6 $6 {Now this move is hardly appropriate.} (21... f5 {was quite
possible. If} 22. g4 {then} fxg4 23. Qxg4 Ndf6 24. Qg2 Rc7 {[%cal Yc7g7]}) 22.
f5 $1 $36 g5 $6 {Another weakening.} (22... Rc7 $5 {protecting the 7th rank})
23. Ng3 b5 $1 {Black must urgently activate his queen.} 24. axb5 Qb6 25. Kh1 (
25. bxa6 $5 Bxa6 26. Nxe4 $1 Nxe4 (26... dxe4 27. Bxa6 Qxa6 28. Qg3 h6 29. h4)
27. Nd7 $1 Qd6 28. Bxa6 Qxa6 29. f6 $40) 25... axb5 26. Bxe4 dxe4 27. d5 $1 {
[%csl Gb2][%cal Gb2h8]} e3 $1 28. Ng4 Nxg4 29. Qxg4 h6 30. Ne4 Rc2 $1 {[%mdl
512] Black defends very well. He sacrifices a queen for a rook and a knight
but creates strong counterplay.} 31. Nf6+ Qxf6 32. Bxf6 e2 33. Bxg5 Bxd5 $4 {
An absolutely crazy move!} (33... exf1=Q+ 34. Rxf1 hxg5 35. Qxg5+ Kh7 36. f6
Ree2 $1 {, and White has hardly anything better than perpetual.}) 34. Bxh6+ $6
{White is clearly bewildered.} (34. Bf6+ $142 Kh7 35. Rg1 Re4 36. Qf3 exd1=Q
37. Qxd1 {, and White should win.}) 34... Kh7 35. Bxf8 (35. Rg1 $1 Bxh6 36.
Rde1 {was still possible but now White's victory is less certain after, say,}
Re3) 35... exf1=Q+ 36. Rxf1 Rxg2 37. Qxg2 Bxg2+ 38. Kxg2 Rxf8 {[%mdl 4096]
Finally the players have reached a rook ending. Levon Aronian proves that
White's extra pawn can't be converted.} 39. Kf3 Kg7 40. Ke4 Rh8 41. Kd4 Rc8 (
41... Rh4+ $5 42. Kc5 b4) 42. Rf4 Kf6 43. h4 Re8 44. Kc5 Re5+ 45. Kd6 Re3 46.
Rb4 Kxf5 47. Rxb5+ Kg4 48. h5 f5 49. h6 Rh3 50. Ke5 Rxh6 51. Rb4+ Kf3 52. Kxf5
Ke3 53. Ke5 Kd3 54. Rb8 Kc3 55. b4 Kc4 56. Rb7 Rh5+ 57. Kd6 Rh6+ 58. Kd7 Rh7+
59. Kc6 Rxb7 60. Kxb7 Kxb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Negi,P"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 $5 {I am not sure if this
can be called the Moller (5...b5 and 6...Bc5), but it is a close cousin of
those lines. Black's idea is to delay ...b5 so White isn't able to instantly
reply with a4. This gives Black a few additional options - for instance the
idea of entirely avoiding ...Rb8 after a4, but at the least it also prevents,
or reduces the impact of a few additional lines for White like the Nxe5 lines.
All that sounds good, but Black has to deal with additional options here for
White as well, which is the reason why 5...Bc5 hasn't really been in fashion
of late. It is also probably the reason why Topalov chose it here, and he
successfully managed to bring Svidler out of book very quickly.} 6. c3 (6. d4
$5 {is another interesting, but very rare option for White to explore.}) 6...
b5 7. Bc2 {But this is the extra option Black has to deal with compared to 5...
b5, and 6...Bc5. At first sight, the bishop is naturally better placed on c2,
and if Black just continues in the way of Moller, then White will have a
better version. So instead, he ought to go for the forcing} d5 8. d4 dxe4 9.
dxe5 $5 {A less popular move, but since Svidler has played it before, it
certainly couldn't be a surprise to Topalov.} (9. Nxe5 {leads to a long,
insane variation that Svidler understandably wanted to avoid} Nxe5 10. dxe5
Qxd1 11. Rxd1 Ng4 12. Bxe4 Nxf2 (12... Rb8 13. Bc6+ Ke7 14. Bg5+ Ke6 15. Bh4
Nxe5 16. Bd5+ Kf5 17. Bxf7 $5 $146 {doesn't let Black equalise fully yet.} (17.
Nd2 Bb7 18. Nb3 {This lets White maintain pressure as well.} (18. Ne4 Bb6 19.
Ng3+ Kg6 20. Bb3 f6 21. Ne2 Rhe8 $11 {(57) Shirov,A (2710)-Ivanchuk,V (2740)
Monte Carlo 1998}) 18... Bb6 19. Bg3 f6 20. Nd4+ Bxd4 21. cxd4 (21. Rxd4 c5 22.
Rd2 c4 23. Rad1 Rhe8 $11 {1/2-1/2 (55) Hermansson,E (2545)-Hector,J (2638)
Sweden 2007}) 21... Bxd5 22. dxe5 Rbd8 23. exf6 gxf6 24. Bxc7 {is a much more
drawish opposite coloured bishop endgame than 17.Bxf7.}) 17... Bxf2+ (17...
Nxf7 18. Rd5+ Kg6 (18... Kg4 19. Bg3 Bb6 20. h3#) 19. Rxc5 $16) 18. Bxf2 Nxf7
19. Bg3 $14 {Due to the opposite coloured bishops, and more activity, Black
certainly has chances for a draw...but it's not yet easy. Black's exposed king,
and likely pawn less, certainly give White enough reason to be happy with the
outcome of the opening.}) 13. Bc6+ Ke7 14. Rd5 Bb6 $1 {We've most of the
theory established here already, with an old Svidler game after Bg5. And in
general, Black seems to be doing fine after the following exchange sacrifice:}
15. Bxa8 Nd3+ 16. Kf1 Nxc1 17. Na3 Be6 18. Rxc1 Rxa8 {The insanity is
simplified to a much more normal position, but as is often the case, the
excellent bishops actually offer Black good compensation for the rook.}) (9.
dxc5 {certainly hasn't been completely explored either.} Qxd1 10. Bxd1 exf3 11.
Bxf3 e4 $1 (11... Bb7 12. b4 e4 13. Be2 O-O 14. a4 $14 {1/2-1/2 (28) Dvirnyy,D
(2515)-Saravanan,V (2401) Forni di Sopra 2012}) 12. Be2 (12. Re1 O-O $5 (12...
Bf5 13. Nd2 O-O-O 14. Be2 Nd7 15. a4 Nxc5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bxb5 $14 {1/2-1/2 
(22) Chandler,M (2537)-Lane,G (2445) Brisbane 2005}) 13. Bxe4 Re8 14. Nd2 Bf5
15. f3 Rad8 {should be quite ok for Black.} 16. Kf1 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. fxe4
Ne5 $44 {1/2-1/2 (45) Rajlich,V (2337)-Gustafsson,J (2535) Budapest 2001})
12... Bg4 $1 {exchanging a pair of bishops will make Black's life a lot easier.
} 13. Bxg4 (13. f3 exf3 14. gxf3 Bf5 15. b4 O-O-O 16. a4 Rhe8 $1 $15 {1/2-1/2 
(24) Shen,Y (2459)-Kosintseva,T (2479) Ergun 2006}) 13... Nxg4 14. a4 b4 15.
cxb4 Nxb4 16. Bd2 Nc2 17. Ra2 Rb8 18. Nc3 O-O 19. Nxe4 Rfe8 20. Ng3 Ne5 $44 {
1/2-1/2 (41) Salai,L (2440)-Onischuk,A (2605) Yerevan 1996.}) 9... Qxd1 10.
Rxd1 exf3 $1 {Even though there is still one game with this move, it was
almost certainly a surprise for White. Black voluntarily spoils his structure,
and does not take a pawn with a check....} (10... Bxf2+ {has been the main
theoretical move, but now Black seems to be sufferring, even though he's close
to equality:} 11. Kf1 Ng4 12. Bxe4 Bb7 13. h3 Ne3+ 14. Bxe3 Bxe3 15. a4 O-O (
15... Ke7 16. Na3 Rhb8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Nxb5 Rxa1 19. Rxa1 Nxe5 20. Bxb7 Rxb7
21. Nxc7 Nxf3 22. Nd5+ Ke6 23. Nxe3 $16 {1-0 (46) Areshchenko,A (2657)-Gupta,A
(2570) Mumbai 2009}) 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rxa8 Bxa8 18. Na3 b4 19. Nc2 Bf4 20.
Bxc6 Bxc6 21. Nxb4 Bxf3 22. gxf3 Bxe5 23. Nc6 Bd6 24. b4 f5 25. b5 Rf6 26. Rd5
Re6 27. c4 $14 {1-0 (44) Hossain,E (2516)-Gupta,A (2584) Kolkata 2009}) 11.
exf6 gxf6 12. Be4 (12. Bf4 $5 {could be an interesting way which needs further
checking. After} Ne5 13. Be4 Rb8 14. g3 {The pawn sacrifice seems to be just
temporary, and if White is able to regain the f3-pawn without spoiling his
position, then White might have chances. Still, the assesment is probably
close to equal right now.}) (12. a4 Ne5 $5 {dealing with it aggressively} 13.
axb5 Bb7 14. bxa6 Rxa6 15. Rxa6 Bxa6 $132) 12... Bd7 $1 (12... Bb7 {looks more
natural, but now Black won't be able to go 0-0-0.}) 13. a4 O-O-O 14. axb5 Ne5
$1 {Really impressive play! No wonder, Svidler spent a huge deal of time on
these moves. It is already White who needs to be careful here...} 15. Bf4 Bxb5
{Black's pawn structure is abysmal, but his activity more than makes up for it.
} 16. Na3 Rxd1+ $6 {Slight inaccuracies begin creeping into Topalov's game....
it's always hard to start to focus right after your preparation ends. Black is
still ok after this, but giving away the d-file makes White's play a lot
easier.} (16... Bd3 $1 {would have been the simplest.} 17. Bxe5 (17. gxf3 Rhg8+
18. Bg3 f5 $1 {would win material}) 17... Bxe4 18. Bxf6 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Re8 20.
g3 Bd5 $15 {Black's pieces are much better, and the mating bind due to the
f3-pawn is very annoying for White as well.}) 17. Rxd1 Be2 18. Rd5 Rg8 $2 {
A surprising mistake. Black should have tried to take fxg2 when he could. The
pawn on f3 looks impressive, but he isn't active enough to hold on to it for
too long...and in general a tripled pawn is never too nice to keep. But it was
already not that easy to make a decision:} (18... Bxa3 {would be definitely
better than the game, but it's not entirely equal} 19. bxa3 fxg2 20. Bxe5 fxe5
21. Rxe5 {with slight pressure.}) (18... Bd6 19. g3 {the pawns are still a
problem, although Black has more counterplay here.}) (18... Ba7 $1 {now g3 is
probably not very nice due to the pressure on f2} 19. Bxe5 fxe5 {and Black
should have enough counterplay to equalise probably.}) 19. g3 Bxa3 20. bxa3 Ng6
21. Be3 {The tripled pawns make Black's life hard, and Svidler conducts the
next few moves quite well and practically, just increasing the pressure.} Re8
22. Bf5+ Kb7 23. Rd4 Re5 24. g4 a5 25. h3 h5 26. Be4+ Ka6 (26... Kc8 {is a
more stubborn defence, but it's hard to figure it out during a game...Black
can't really expect his king to come under a mating attack, can he?}) 27. gxh5
$1 Rxh5 28. Rd8 {Finally, it's time for precision! The king is a target now.}
Ne5 (28... Rxh3 29. Rb8 $1 {is an amazing move that Topalov might have
overlooked. Bb7 is a very strong threat as well...} (29. a4 Rh8 {is a draw.})
29... Rh8 30. Rb2 {and the beautiful mate with Bb7 follows.}) 29. a4 c6 30. Rb8
{The king is still not out of the woods.} Nc4 31. Bd4 c5 32. Bxf6 Nb6 33. Bd8 (
33. h4 $16 {was simpler.}) 33... Nd5 34. Ra8+ Kb7 35. Rxa5 Re5 36. Rxc5 Rxe4
37. Rxd5 Rxa4 38. Rf5 Kc8 39. Bg5 Rc4 40. Bd2 {It could be argued that Svidler
spoilt his advantage a bit in the last moves, but he did reasonably well to
reach the time control, and the endgame is still quite unpleasant for White.}
Rc7 {Too passive. The h-pawn is just on a roll now} (40... Rh4 41. Kh2 Bf1 42.
Rxf3 Rh5 {is an interesting suggestion by the computer. Amazingly, there
aren't many ways to improve...but it's hard to say if Black can save the
position after} 43. Rxf7 Rxh3+ 44. Kg1 Be2 $16) 41. h4 Kd8 42. Bg5+ $1 {
A very nice trick. Black would have been in time to control the h-pawn...but
White brings mating nets into the game as well!} Ke8 43. Rd5 f5 (43... Rd7 44.
Rxd7 Kxd7 {should just be lost as the two pawns are too far away. As usual,
the computer doesn't understand these opposite coloured bishop endgames very
well...}) 44. h5 Rc4 45. Rd4 $1 {The opposite coloured bishop endgame is of
course lost...} Rxc3 46. h6 Rc8 47. h7 Kf7 48. Bd8 $1 {The final touch.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:51:11"]
[BlackClock "0:23:17"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:25]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 6.
Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nf5 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 8. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 10. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 11.
Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} (11. Ne2 Be7 12. Re1 Be6 13. Ned4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bc8 15.
Bf4 c5 16. Nb5 Bd8 17. e6 Bxe6 18. Rad1 Ke7 19. Nxc7 Bxc7 20. Bxc7 Rac8 21.
Bd6+ {1/2-1/2 (21) Fressinet,L (2710)-Giri,A (2749) Germany 2014}) 11... Be7 {
[%emt 0:01:20]} 12. Rad1 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 13. Ng5 {
[%emt 0:00:42]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 14. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:
48]} 15. g4 {[%emt 0:00:24] Anand prepared a long variation against the Berlin
endgame, but Karjakin responded in the most logical and ultra-solid way. The
Indian player was unable to prove any kind of advantage and the players agreed
to a draw in a position that already seemed completely locked up by Black's
passive but untouchable pieces.} hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 16. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:08]
} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 17. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Rxe6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 18. Kg2
{[%emt 0:00:12]} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:02:38]} 19. bxc3 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:
09:47]} 20. Rxd8+ $146 {[%emt 0:01:07]} (20. Rb1 b5 21. Kg3 Rd5 22. c4 Rc5 23.
Re4 a6 24. Rb3 Ng6 25. Ra3 f6 26. Rxa6 Nxf4 27. Kxf4 Rexe5 28. Rxe5+ fxe5+ 29.
Kf5 Kf7 30. Ra7 g6+ 31. Kg5 e4+ 32. Kh6 Rxc4 33. Rxc7+ Ke6 34. g5 Rxc2 35. Kxg6
Rxf2 36. Rxc6+ Kd5 37. Rb6 Kc5 38. Re6 Kd4 39. Rd6+ Kc5 40. Re6 Kd4 41. Rd6+
Kc5 42. Re6 {1/2-1/2 (42) Karjakin,S (2786)-Grischuk,A (2764) Moscow 2013})
20... Kxd8 {[%emt 0:01:17]} 21. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:23:50]} 22.
Bg3 {[%emt 0:03:21]} g5 {[%emt 0:06:03]} 23. c4 {[%emt 0:09:49]} Nc3 {[%emt 0:
06:47]} 24. Kf3 {[%emt 0:14:47]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:23:40]} 25. a3 {[%emt 0:08:06]}
Na4 {[%emt 0:09:06]} 26. Ke4 {[%emt 0:05:28]} Nc5+ {[%emt 0:00:30]} 27. Kf5 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 28. Rh8+ {[%emt 0:06:53]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:
16]} 29. c3 {[%emt 0:09:46]} Ng7+ {[%emt 0:03:45]} 30. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Ne6
{[%emt 0:00:04]} 31. f3 {[%emt 0:02:04]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 32. Bf2 {[%emt 0:
00:19]} a6 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 33. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:56]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:31:38"]
[BlackClock "0:14:21"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:56]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:09]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:06:02]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:16]}
Nd7 {[%emt 0:03:18]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:02:24]} Ngf6 {[%emt 0:06:59]} 6. Qc2 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 7. Na3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Be6 {[%emt 0:02:
04] I have advocated this line in the second volume of my English Opening
trilogy. Black defends the c4-pawn safely, but delays his kingside development
quite a bit.} 8. Ne5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} ({I only analysed} 8. Ng5 {The game
move leads to a completely different type of position.}) 8... Qd4 {[%emt 0:02:
52]} 9. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 10. Bxc6+ {[%emt 0:00:04]
White will get a rook and a pawn for a knight and bishop, a complex material
balance, which could favour either side, depending on the concrete
circumstances. For White it will be essential to speed up his development with
either b2-b3 or d2-d3, otherwise Black would have a comfortable position.} Kd8
{[%emt 0:09:29] Keeping his pieces on active squares at the price of giving up
the right to castle.} (10... Bd7 $6 11. Bxa8 Nxa8 12. Nxc4 {offers White a
slight material advantage already.} Nb6 13. Nxb6 Qxb6 ({In the next phase the
bishop exchange with Be3-c5 will be a thematic issue, so} 13... axb6 $5 {
[%csl Gc5] deserves attention.}) 14. d3 Nd5 $6 (14... e5 15. Be3 Qb8 16. Rfc1
Bd6 17. Bc5 $14) 15. e4 $36 Nb4 16. Qc3 e6 17. Be3 Qb7 18. a3 Nc6 19. d4 {
Needlessly restricting his own bishop.} (19. b4 $1 f6 20. Rfc1 Be7 21. Rab1 a6
22. Bc5 $36) 19... Bd6 $2 {Now White's previous move is justified.} (19... f6 {
[%cal Gc3g7]}) 20. d5 exd5 21. exd5 Ne5 22. f4 Ng4 23. Qxg7 $18 {(1-0, 35)
Brunello,S (2537)-Korneev,O (2573) Otranto 2011}) (10... Nfd7 {[%csl Gc8][%cal
Re6c8]} 11. Bxa8 Nxa8 12. d3 Bh3 (12... Nab6 13. dxc4 Bh3 14. Rd1 Qc5 15. Qe4
$16 {1-0 (21) Prusikin,M (2541)-Pacher,M (2403) Merlimont 2011}) ({The
negative effects of the knight retreat can be seen after} 12... cxd3 $2 13.
Qc8#) {Vojinovic,J (2346)-Houska,J (2415) Porto Carras 2011 (1-0, 34)} 13. dxc4
$1 Bxf1 14. Be3 Qd6 15. Rxf1 {[%csl Ga2,Ra7,Gb2,Gc4]} a6 $6 16. Qa4 $36) 11.
Nb5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:19] This move order is aimed at depriving the queen of the
d5-square. It seems to have taken Andreikin out of his preparation since he
spent more than half an hour on his next two moves.} (11. Bxa8 Nxa8 12. Nb5 Qd5
{Pantsulaia,L (2557)-Keler,F (2238) Konya 2012 (1-0, 33)}) 11... Qc5 {[%emt 0:
15:16]} 12. Bxa8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxb5 {[%emt 0:21:33] But Black can deviate
from the usual course, too.} (12... Bf5 13. Qc3 Qxb5 14. a4 Qd7 (14... Nxa4 15.
Qd4+ Bd7 16. Qxa7) 15. Bg2 $36 {Sadorra,J (2577)-Holt,C (2534) Houston 2013 
(1-0, 57)}) (12... Nxa8 13. a4 Nd7 $6 {Hinrichs,L (1993)-Kramer,J (2133)
Oberhof 2013 (0-1, 40)} 14. d4 cxd3 15. Qxd3 $32) 13. Bg2 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Bd7
$146 {[%emt 0:06:23] A logical novelty, clearing the path for the e6-pawn in
order to proceed with the kingside development.} (13... h5 {has been played a
few times, but it does not seem to contribute to the overall development.
Black will most likely be too slow in creating effective kingside threats.} 14.
a4 (14. d3 cxd3 15. Rd1 Bf5 {Pantsulaia,L (2575)-Smeets,J (2608) Istanbul 2012
(1/2-1/2, 45)}) (14. h4 Bf5 15. e4 Bd7 16. a4 Nxa4 17. e5 Ne8 18. Re1 e6 19.
Bf1 $14 {Timman,J (2566)-Smeets,J (2615) Wijk aan Zee 2013 (1-0, 55)}) (14. Rd1
$5) 14... Qb3 {Giving up the ambitions for an attack.} ({But there seems to be
no time for it, anyway:} 14... Qd7 15. a5 Nc8 16. Rd1 h4 17. d3 hxg3 18. hxg3
cxd3 19. Rxd3 Nd6 20. Be3 Bh3 21. Bc6 Qc7 22. Rc1 $16 {Black is fully
developed and exerts strong pressure.}) 15. Qxb3 cxb3 16. e4 Bd7 17. a5 Nc4 18.
d3 Ne5 19. d4 Nd3 20. Ra3 $16 {Medvegy,Z (2552)-Csonka,B (2354) Zalakaros 2013
(1-0, 41)}) 14. b3 {[%emt 0:14:06] White's first long thought produced a
debatable move.} (14. a4 $5 {looks worth investigating.} Nxa4 15. d3 cxd3 16.
exd3 {This looks ugly for White, but in the game he will get a similar
"structure". In this line, White's advance in development seems to be more
concrete.} e6 17. b3 Nb6 18. Rxa7 Bd6 19. Be3 Nfd5 20. Rb7 Nxe3 21. fxe3 f5 22.
d4 $36 {[%cal Ge3e4,Gd4d5]}) 14... e5 {[%emt 0:02:25]} ({Only not} 14... cxb3
$2 15. axb3 a6 16. d4 e6 17. Bd2 $16) 15. Rb1 $5 {[%emt 0:10:04]} (15. Bb2 Bd6
{does not offer White anything.}) 15... cxb3 {[%emt 0:02:50]} 16. Rxb3 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} Qxe2 {[%emt 0:02:07]} 17. Ba3 {[%emt 0:02:26] This is part of
White's plan of development, but it also helps Black develop with gain of time.
} Bxa3 {[%emt 0:14:01]} 18. Rxa3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 19. Qb1
$5 {[%emt 0:17:05] With the black king in the centre it looks logical to keep
the queens on the board.} (19. Qxc4 Nxc4 20. Rxa7 Re8 $5 {[%csl Gd8][%cal
Ge5e4,Ge8e6,Gc4d2] The king would be well placed to control the a-pawn.}) 19...
Ke7 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 20. Rxa7 {[%emt 0:05:00]} Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:15] With such a
centralised queen, Black should be out of danger.} 21. Rb7 {[%emt 0:04:48]} Na4
$6 {[%emt 0:02:18] But this leaves Black hanging slightly.} (21... Nbd5 $5 {
was more natural.}) 22. Rc1 {[%emt 0:05:00]} (22. Rb4 Qxd2 (22... Qd6 $6 23. d4
e4 24. Rc1 {[%csl Ga4,Ge4][%cal Gc1c4]}) 23. Rd1 Qc3 24. Rxd7+ Nxd7 25. Rxa4
Rb8 26. Qxh7 Rb2 $44) 22... Rd8 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 23. h3 $5 {[%emt 0:22:00] A
mysterious move after a very long think. The threat ...Nf6-g4 was not that
real, since it could be met with Qb4+. After the queen exchange the knight
would have had to retreat to f6. Maybe Aronian was waiting for ...Ke7-f8,
after which the king would not be completely safe yet, while Black would have
lost some of his control in the centre.} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 24. Qb3 {[%emt 0:
02:48]} e4 $2 {[%emt 0:06:06] Weakening the control over the d4-square will
have important consequences.} ({The following line must be slightly hard to
evaluate over the board, but it seems that Black would be out of danger:} 24...
Ne4 25. Bxe4 Qxe4 26. Rb4 Qa8 27. Rc7 Qa5 28. Rxd7 Rxd7 29. Rxa4 Qxd2 {
Although the f8-king looks exposed, there is no obvious way to set up an
attack. Besides, the white king is not 100% safe either.}) (24... Nc5 $6 25.
Qa3 {illustrates Black's problems of coordination:} Rc8 26. Rb4 Qd6 27. Rbc4
Be8 $1 28. Qe3 (28. Rxc5 $6 Nd7 $1) 28... Nfd7 29. a4 $36) 25. Rc4 $1 {[%emt 0:
02:31]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:03:44]} 26. Qb4+ {[%emt 0:03:39]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 27.
Rd4 $1 {[%emt 0:02:54] Suddenly, White has a strong initiative.} Qc6 $2 {
[%emt 0:01:50]} (27... Qc5 28. Bxe4 $16) 28. Rbxd7 $6 {[%emt 0:05:19] Failing
to squeeze the maximum out of the position.} (28. Bxe4 $1 {This practically
gains a tempo.} Qe6 (28... Nxe4 $2 29. Rdxd7 $18) 29. Rbxd7 Rxd7 30. Qb8+ Ne8
31. Rxa4 $18) 28... Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 29. Qxa4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qxa4 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} 30. Rxa4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:00:15]} (30... f5 31.
Rd4 Kf7 32. d3 exd3 33. Rxd3 Ke7 34. a4 $18) 31. Rxe4 $6 {[%emt 0:06:26] This
is not a real mistake yet, but rather an inaccuracy causing some loss of time
in carrying out the best plan.} ({As will be explained below, it is best to
keep the rook in front of the passed pawn, making} 31. Bxe4 {more
straightforward:} Rxd2 32. Ra8 g6 33. a4 Kg7 34. a5 {with similar play as in
the lines below.}) 31... Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 32. a4 $6 {[%emt 0:00:05] Once
again heading for an unfavourable regrouping, but still not throwing all the
winning chances away.} (32. Ra4 g6 33. Ra8 Kg7 34. a4 Ra2 35. a5 Ne6 36. h4 Nd4
37. a6 Kf6 38. Bf1 {keeps White's chances intact.}) 32... Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:31]
This endgame has a degree of complexity similar to the middlegame. In the
endgame, there usually is just one accurate way leading to the aim (a win or a
draw, depending on the circumstances), while in the middlegame one frequently
has a choice, according to one's own style or taste. My tendency in this
position would be to exchange either the rooks or the minor pieces in such a
way that a clear win would be available. With the current material on board, I
would be slightly afraid of Black's counterplay, using his rook and knight.
The rook exchange would almost always win, but is not easy to achieve. The
minor piece exchange is a realistic possibility, but only some of the rook
endings are won (sorry, Dr. Tarrasch!) While discussing this ending with
Rainer Knaak, I found out that he would not consider the minor piece exchange
at all and that he would rely on a major regrouping of the pieces. Rainer's
suggested policy has the practical advantage that it would allow the tension
to be maintained eternally (or at least until Black loses his patience and
goes wrong). In "my" favourite plan, if the rook ending turns to be drawn
despite my evaluation, there would be little to be done already. In the old
times, with adjourned games and home analysis, one would probably try out
Rainer's plan for about 20-30 moves or until the second adjournment and if
this did not bring in the desired result, look for a good moment for switching
to the rook endgame. So, from an abstract point of view, I must admit that
Rainer is right. In the comments below, I will mainly illustrate my approach,
which is easier to explain, so please be aware that the evaluations may be
partly biassed.} 33. Bf3 $6 {[%emt 0:03:51] There is some degree of
incertainty here. Either this or the next move make the winning plan based on
the minor pieces exchange highly problematic. My guess is that the final blame
should be put on the next move. The main issue is that White plays too slowly,
allowing Black to activate his king.} (33. Rb4 g6 (33... Ra1+ 34. Bf1 g6 35.
Kg2 Kg7 36. Bc4 {is similar}) 34. Bd5 Ra1+ 35. Kg2 Ne6 36. Bxe6 $1 fxe6 {
A similar position was reached in the game after 38 moves. The essential
difference is that in the current line Black was not in time to hide with his
king to f6, allowing White to finally activate his rook and ensure the advance
of the pawn:} 37. Rb8+ $1 Kf7 38. Ra8 Kf6 {Black has to try playing actively.}
({Here is an illustrative line about what could happen if he would just mark
time:} 38... Ra3 39. a5 Kg7 40. a6 h5 41. a7 $1 {With the pawn on f7 rather
than on e6, this would only lead to a draw. The weakness of the e6-pawn is
decisive, though. The only thing White shoud avoid is playing h3-h4. After
that, even winning the e6-pawn would not allow the creation of a passed f-pawn.
}) 39. a5 g5 40. a6 Ke5 41. a7 Ke4 {Setting up a cunning trap.} (41... Ra3 {
makes things easier:} 42. f4+ gxf4 43. gxf4+ Ke4 44. f5 $18) 42. g4 (42. f4 $4
Ke3 43. fxg5 Ra2+ 44. Kf1 Ra1+ {leads to a draw by perpetual}) 42... Ra3 43.
f3+ Ke3 44. Re8 $1 {A good moment to simplify to an ending with pawns on the
same wing.} Rxa7 45. Rxe6+ Kd3 46. Kg3 {With the black king cut off along the
e-file, White has every chance to win.}) 33... g6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 34. Kg2 $6 {
[%emt 0:01:30]} (34. Rb4 Ne6 35. Bd5 Kg7 36. Bxe6 fxe6 37. Rb7+ Kf6 ({For
carrying out the counterplay with the e-pawn, suggested as a general idea by
Rainer, Black should hide his king with:} 37... Kh6 {but I believe this should
not save him either:} 38. Ra7 e5 39. a5 e4 40. a6 Ra3 41. Kf1 $1 {Otherwise,
Black woul be in time to exchange the e=pawn and return with his rook behind
the passed pawn.} e3 42. f3 $1 {More restrictive than 42.f4 e2!+} Ra2 43. Ra8
Rf2+ 44. Ke1 Ra2 45. f4 {followed by a6-a7 and g3-g4, f4-f5, etc.}) 38. Ra7 {
White is two tempi down with respect to the previous recommended winning
attempt. One of them was wasted by the bishop, the other one will be spent on
Ra7-a8. But even so, Black is in a critical position.} g5 ({Black's
counterplay based on the advance and exchange of the e-pawn fails by just one
tempo:} 38... e5 39. a5 e4 40. a6 Ra3 41. Ra8 e3 42. fxe3 Rxe3 43. a7 {Black
would need to play ...Ra3 and ...Kg7 at the same time in order to reach a draw.
}) 39. a5 h5 40. a6 Ke5 41. Ra8 Ke4 42. Kg2 e5 43. a7 Ra3 44. h4 $1 (44. Rg8
Rxa7 45. Rxg5 Rh7 {is pssive but maybe defensible.}) 44... g4 (44... gxh4 45.
gxh4 Ra1 46. Kh2 $1 {Using triangulation to escape the cage.} Ra2 47. Kg1 Ra1+
48. Kg2 Ra3 49. Kf1 Ra2 50. Ke1 {After escaping with the king from the
dangerous perpetual check area, White will win with f2-f4!}) 45. Kf1 Ra2 46.
Ke1 Ra1+ 47. Kd2 Ra2+ 48. Kc3 Ra3+ 49. Kb4 Ra1 50. Kc5 Ra2 51. Kd6 Ra3 52. Ke6
Ra6+ 53. Ke7 $1 (53. Kf7 $2 Kf3 54. Rf8 Kxf2 $3 $11 {[%csl Ge5] The white king
is one step too far away to ensure the win.}) 53... Ra5 54. Kf6 $1 Kf3 55. Rf8
Rxa7 (55... Kxf2 {no longer saves him:} 56. Kg5+ Kxg3 57. a8=Q Rxa8 58. Rxa8 e4
59. Ra3+) 56. Kg5+ Kg2 57. Kxh5 $18) 34... Ne6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 35. Rc4 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 36. Bd5 {[%emt 0:01:12]} (36. Bc6 Kf6 37.
Bb5 $16) 36... Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 37. Re4 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} 38. Bxe6 $4 {[%emt 0:00:18] With the rook on e4, the resulting endgame
does not offer winning chances at all. The rook cannot defend the a4-pawn and
the base of the white pawns. It could do this from f4 if it was not for the
"weak" e6-pawn.} ({Rainer displayed his confidence that in a practical game
White should still win with} 38. Bc6 {followed by the rook's retreat to the
second rank and the king activation. Here is a possible line illustrating his
approach:} Ra2 39. Bb5 Kf5 40. Re2 Ra1 41. Rd2 {(+-) controlling the d4-square
and followed by the gradual king activation. To tell the truth, I find this
quite convincing and it always is refreshing to learn something new about
technique. Thank you Rainer!}) 38... fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 39. Rf4+ {[%emt 0:
00:04]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 40. h4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41.
Re4 {[%emt 0:14:51]} (41. Kf1 Ra2 42. Ke1 e5 $11) 41... Kf7 {[%emt 0:03:10]}
42. Kf1 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 43. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kf6 {
[%emt 0:16:58]} 44. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:05:14]} 45. f4 {[%emt 0:
02:55]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:14:13]} 46. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 47.
Rd4 {[%emt 0:04:40]} Re3 {[%emt 0:05:48]} 48. Kb2 {[%emt 0:04:26]} e5 {[%emt 0:
00:36]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A87"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Meulders,R"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:19:35"]
[BlackClock "0:08:55"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:02:30]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:
00:37]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bg7
{[%emt 0:00:19]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:04]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:23]} 6. c4 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 8. b4
{[%emt 0:06:15] A less usual move. Instead of the vastly popular 8.d5,
hindering Black's stock move ...e5, White allows this advance and aims for a
quick initiative on the queenside.} e5 {[%emt 0:13:17]} ({Relevant:} 8... h6 9.
Bb2 c6 10. d5 a5 11. a3 axb4 12. axb4 Rxa1 13. Bxa1 Na6 14. Qb3 c5 15. b5 Nb4
16. Bb2 e5 17. dxe6 Bxe6 18. Ba3 Qf7 19. Nd2 d5 20. cxd5 Nfxd5 21. Nxd5 Nxd5
22. Bxc5 Nc3 23. Qa3 Rd8 24. Nf3 Nxe2+ 25. Kh1 Nc3 26. Qb4 Bc4 27. Re1 Ne4 28.
Qa5 Qd5 29. Bb6 Bc3 30. Qa7 Bxe1 31. Nxe1 Qd1 {0-1 (31) Gomez,J (2534)-Zhang,Z
(2600) Ho Chi Minh City 2014}) (8... c6) 9. dxe5 {[%emt 0:01:16]} dxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 10. Ba3 $146 {[%emt 0:03:41]} (10. b5 e4 11. Nd4 Qf7 12. Qb3 c5
13. bxc6 Nxc6 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Ba3 Rd8 16. Rac1 Be6 17. Qa4 Rac8 18. Bc5 Nd7
19. Be3 Nb6 20. Qa6 Bxc4 21. Qa5 Nd5 22. Rfd1 Re8 23. Bd4 Nxc3 24. Bxc3 Bxe2
25. Bxg7 Qxg7 26. Rd2 Bd3 27. Bf1 Bxf1 28. Kxf1 Qc7 29. Qa4 e3 30. Rdc2 exf2
31. Kxf2 Re6 32. Kg2 Qd7 33. Qb3 Qf7 34. Qd3 Qe7 35. Qb3 Kf8 36. Qf3 c5 37. g4
Re3 38. Qf4 Re4 39. Qh6+ Kg8 {Nguyen,N (2567)-Zhang,Z (2649) Beijing 2008 0-1})
10... e4 {[%emt 0:04:18]} 11. Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:14:48]} 12. Qb3
{[%emt 0:13:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:11:50]} 13. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:07:27]} Qxc6 {[%emt 0:
00:41]} 14. b5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 15. f3 {[%emt 0:01:18]}
Be6 {[%emt 0:02:08]} 16. Rad1 {[%emt 0:07:56] Getting the rook out of the pin
along the h8-a1 diagonal and threatening to take twice on e4.} a6 $1 {[%emt 0:
07:48] Black has a very small initiative, based on the somewhat awkward
position of the Ba3.} 17. bxa6 {[%emt 0:08:05]} (17. fxe4 axb5 18. Nxb5 Nxe4
$15) 17... Rxa6 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 18. fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} fxe4 {[%emt 0:13:59]
} 19. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:02:06]} 20. Bxe4 {[%emt 0:01:23]}
Rxf1+ {[%emt 0:03:52]} 21. Rxf1 {[%emt 0:00:16]} b5 $1 $15 {[%emt 0:07:50]
Black has successfully solved all his opening difficulties and has a fine
position: the c4-pawn is pinned and the Ba3 still is insecurely placed. Black
is set to regain the pawn and keep the initiative.} 22. Qe3 {[%emt 0:20:04]}
bxc4 $6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} (22... Bxc4 $2 23. Bd5+ Re6 24. Bxe6+ Qxe6 25. Qxe6+
Bxe6 26. Rc1 $16) ({The move to play is} 22... Qd7 $1 {threatening ...Bd4} 23.
Qf3 Bxc4 24. Bb2 Qd6 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. Qc3+ Kg8 27. Bc2 Qc5+ 28. Rf2 Rxa2 29.
Bd3 Ra6 30. Bxc4+ Qxc4 31. Qf3 Qc1+ 32. Kg2 Qc6 33. e4 Qe8 34. Qb3+ Qe6 35.
Qxb5 Qxe4+ 36. Kh3 Qe6+ 37. Kg2 Qc6+ 38. Qxc6 Rxc6 {and White must struggle to
get a draw..}) 23. Bc5 $11 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Qc8 $2 {[%emt 0:09:21] Too passive.
} (23... c6 $11 24. Rd1 Rxa2 25. Bxc6 Qxc6 26. Rd8+ Kf7 27. Qf4+ Bf5 28. Qxc4+
Be6 29. Qf4+ Bf5 30. Qc4+ $11) 24. h4 {[%emt 0:04:03]} h6 $4 {[%emt 0:09:52] A
strange move to make for a player of Svidler's calibre. Surely he did not miss
25.Bxg6 Bh3 26.Bf7+?} (24... Qd7 $1 25. Rb1 Kh8 26. Rb8+ Bg8 27. Qf3 Re6 28.
Bd5 Re8 29. Rxe8 Qxe8 30. Bxg8 Qxg8 31. a4 h5 32. a5 c3 {and the passed pawn
gives Black enough counterplay.}) 25. Bxg6 $16 {[%emt 0:04:56]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:
00:44]} 26. h5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:33]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 27. Bd4 {[%emt 0:09:42]
} (27. Rd1 $1 $18) 27... Re6 {[%emt 0:04:08]} (27... Be6 28. Bxg7 Qxg7 29. a4
Rd6 30. a5 c3 31. Rc1 Bf7 32. Bxf7+ Qxf7 33. Qxc3 Qxh5 34. a6 Rd8 35. Qf6 Rd6
36. Qxd6 $1 cxd6 37. Rc8+ $1 Kh7 38. a7 Qxe2 39. a8=Q $18) 28. Bf7+ {[%emt 0:
01:48]} Qxf7 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 29. Rxf7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
30. Rxg7+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 31. Rg5 $1 $18 {[%emt 0:01:44]}
(31. Rg5 hxg5 32. Bxe3 g4 33. a4 c3 34. a5 Bb7 35. h6 Kg8 36. Bf4 c2 37. Kf2
$18) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "1:26:36"]
[BlackClock "1:03:45"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Be7
{[%emt 0:00:21]} 5. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:11]} 6. e3 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. c5 {[%emt 0:00:04] A very direct approach and
the most popular one.} Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:14] The most principled way to question
the effectiveness of the last move. Both players had had this position before,
so they must have both known what they were doing.} (7... c6 8. h3 {0-1 (41)
Bacrot,E (2749)-Aronian,L (2801) Warsaw 2013 CBM 158 [Krasenkow,M]}) (7... Ne4
8. Qc2 f5 {1-0 (48) Topalov,V (2752)-Giri,A (2711) Istanbul 2012 CBM 151 
[Krasenkow,M]}) 8. Be5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:04] Following his own path and deviating
from that which was supposedly the most familiar to Kramnik.} (8. Bd3 Nxf4 9.
exf4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Qc7 13. g3 Ba6 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. Qe2 Rfa8
16. b5 $1 (16. Rab1 {Radjabov,T (2744)-Kramnik,V (2785) Kazan 2011 CBM 143 
[Marin,M] (1/2-1/2, 39)}) 16... cxb5 17. Nxd5 $1 {Aronian,L (2802)-Giri,A 
(2714) Porto Carras 2011 CBM 146 [Krasenkow,M] (1-0, 43)}) 8... c6 {[%emt 0:01:
01]} 9. Bd3 {[%emt 0:02:09] Clearly the most active developing move.} (9. Be2 {
is a bit too passive.} f6 10. Bg3 g6 ({The knight did not really need
defending yet. Black should have started his counterplay without delay:} 10...
e5 $1 11. b4 e4) 11. b4 e5 12. Qb3 Kh8 {Savchenko,B (2569)-Azarov,S (2585)
Voronezh 2008 (0-1, 36)} 13. b5 $5) (9. h3 {simply gives away a tempo, since
Black was going to take on e5 at some point anyway.} Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Nf6 11. Bd3
Nd7 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13. O-O e5 $5 $132 {Krush,I (2472)-Zatonskih,A (2499) Saint
Louis 2011 (1-0, 37)}) 9... g6 {[%emt 0:03:43]} ({An old game by Topalov saw
the too straightforward} 9... f5 $6 10. b4 a6 11. h3 Nxe5 12. dxe5 f4 13. e4
$14 {Topalov,V (2707)-Campora,D (2526) Barcelona 2000 (1-0, 40)}) (9... f6 {
was played in a historic match, a long, long time ago, but deserves closer
investigation.} 10. Bg3 (10. Ng5 {is interesting but may well lead only to a
draw:} fxe5 11. Qxh5 Bxg5 12. Qxh7+ Kf7 13. Qh5+ (13. Bg6+ Kf6 14. Bh5 Bh6 15.
g4 Ke7 16. g5 Rh8 17. Qg6 Qf8 {parries the attack.}) 13... Kg8 $11 14. Bh7+ $2
Kh8 15. Bg6+ Bh6 $19) 10... f5 {In a way, Black won a tempo over
Topalov-Camora above. But it could well turn that he has actually lost a tempo,
depending on the ulterior course of the game.} 11. Ng5 $2 {Steinitz,W-Chigorin,
M Nuremberg 1896 (1-0, 33)} (11. Be5 $5 {would really throw away a tempo.}) (
11. b4 $5 Nxg3 12. hxg3 g6 {[%cal Ge7f6,Ge6e5]} 13. b5 e5 $1) 11... Nxc5 $1 12.
dxc5 Nxg3 13. Nxe6 Bxe6 14. hxg3 Bxc5 $17) (9... Nxe5 10. Nxe5 g6 ({If} 10...
Nf6 11. Qc2 $14 {Black cannot free himself easily, since ...Nd7 would require
weakening the kingside with either ...h6 ot ...g6. This would be at least
risky given that White can still castle long.}) 11. h4 $36 Bxh4 $2 12. Qg4 Bf6
13. Rxh5 $18) 10. h4 {[%emt 0:00:07] In some cases, this could prove an useful
move for the attack, but clearing the h2-square for the bishop is at least as
important.} f5 $6 {[%emt 0:13:01] Allowing White to keep his bishop is
strategically risky.} ({True, embarking the following line against Topalov
would imply risks of a different nature.} 10... Nxe5 11. Nxe5 f6 12. Nxg6 hxg6
13. Qg4 f5 14. Qxg6+ Ng7 15. h5 {The engines are sceptical about this whole
plan, but Topalov has more than once proven he deals well with positions
offering unclear compensation. It was precisely this kind of anti-computer
chess that, basically avoiding his opponent's preparation, yielded him the
supreme crown in 2005.} Rf6 (15... Kh8 $5) 16. Qg5 Kf7 17. Ne2 Qh8 18. Nf4 Qh6
19. Qg3 Ke8 20. Be2 b6 21. Ng6 Bd7 22. b4 $44 {Black is under no immediate
threats, but freeing himself is almost impossible.}) 11. Bh2 $1 $14 {[%emt 0:
07:01]} b6 {[%emt 0:08:01]} (11... Bxh4 {is another form of risky material
grabbing.} 12. Nxh4 Qxh4 13. Qd2 e5 14. O-O-O $36 {[%csl Gg8]}) 12. b4 {
[%emt 0:04:03]} f4 {[%emt 0:03:44] Kramnik must have relied on this way of
neutralising the bishop, but since the h5-knight is doomed to defend the
f4-pawn, Black cannot really hope to be a piece up for practical reasons in
any other area of the board.} 13. O-O {[%emt 0:11:15]} a5 $2 {[%emt 0:31:37]
Playing with fire.} (13... bxc5 14. bxc5 e5 15. Qa4 Qc7 (15... Bb7 16. Rab1)
16. Rab1 $32 e4 $6 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Bxe4 $16) (13... Bb7 $5 $14) 14. b5 $1 $16
{[%emt 0:04:22] Kramnik surely saw this (it is just too thematic), but he must
have overlooked something at a slightly later moment.} (14. a3 axb4 15. axb4
Rxa1 16. Qxa1 bxc5 17. bxc5 e5 $11) 14... bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} (14... Bb7 15.
bxc6 Bxc6 16. cxb6 Qxb6 17. Qe2 $16 {[%cal Ga1b1,Gf1c1]}) 15. bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} Nb8 {[%emt 0:03:05]} 16. Bb5 {[%emt 0:04:10]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:07:48]} 17. a4
$16 {[%emt 0:05:06] Kramnik must have thought he would get the c6-pawn without
any problems, underestimating White's dynamic potential.} Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:31]}
(17... c4 18. exf4 Nxf4 19. Ne2 {[%cal Gc6c7,Gh2c7]} Bd6 20. Nxf4 Bxf4 21. Bxf4
Rxf4 22. h5 gxh5 23. Ne5 $18 {[%csl Ga8,Gb8,Rg8]}) 18. dxc5 {[%emt 0:02:29]}
Nxc6 {[%emt 0:13:23]} 19. Nxd5 $1 {[%emt 0:08:20] The point.} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:
47]} 20. Qxd5+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 21. Qxc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]}
Qxc6 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 22. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 23. Bb5 {
[%emt 0:03:33]} Bxb5 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 24. axb5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 25. Rxa5 {[%emt 0:04:01]} fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 26. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} Bxe3+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} 27. Kh1 $16 {[%emt 0:00:05] Black has limited the
damage to the loss of just one pawn. Still, that pawn is quite dangerous.} Rc2
$2 {[%emt 0:11:36] This counterplay will fail.} ({It would have made sense to
stop the pawn somehow.} 27... Nf6 28. Rb1 Nd5 $16) 28. Rb1 $18 {[%emt 0:05:31]}
Rfc8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 29. Raa1 {[%emt 0:05:52]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 30. Be5+ {
[%emt 0:05:35]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 31. Ra6 $18 {[%emt 0:00:19] There is no
way to stop the pawn now.} Be3 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 32. b6 {[%emt 0:04:22]} Rc1+ {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 33. Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxc1+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 34. Kh2 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 35. g4 $1 {[%emt 0:03:42] The start of a
well-calculated execution.} Bf4+ {[%emt 0:03:10]} 36. Kg2 {[%emt 0:02:04]} Bxe5
{[%emt 0:00:49]} 37. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nf4+ {[%emt 0:01:21]} 38. Kf3 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:02:29]} (38... Nd5 39. Ra8+ Kg7 40. Ra7+ Kf6 41.
Nd7+ Ke6 42. b7 $18) 39. b7 {[%emt 0:05:20]} Rb3+ {[%emt 0:01:23]} 40. Kf2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb2+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Ke3 {[%emt 0:02:01]} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Andreikin,D"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. Nbd2 Be7 {I prefer this
natural move to the one chosen by Kramnik 6...g6?! (Andreikin-Kramnik,
Dortmund 2013. 1-0)} 7. Qc2 O-O 8. e3 c5 {A logical continuation.} ({If Black
plays passively, White can begin a dangerous attack:} 8... c6 $6 9. h4 $1 Nd7
10. g4 $40) 9. dxc5 Nd7 ({Another interesting idea is} 9... Na6 $5 10. cxd5
exd5 11. Bxa6 Qxa6 12. Nd4 Bd7 13. b4 Bf6 $44) 10. cxd5 exd5 $6 {Here is the
first important moment.} ({After} 10... Nxc5 11. dxe6 (11. d6 Bxd6 12. Rd1 $11)
11... Bxe6 12. Bc4 Bf5 13. e4 {we both overlooked} Nxe4 $1 {At the press
conference after the game Veselin was talking about the move 13...Bg6?!} 14.
Nxe4 Qg6 {Black develops a dangerous initiative, for example} 15. Bd5 (15. Nfd2
Rac8 16. O-O b5 17. Bxf7+ Rxf7 18. Qd3 Bg5 $17) (15. O-O $5 Bxe4 16. Qb3 Rad8 {
Black has the advatage of the two bishops.}) 15... Rfd8 16. Bxb7 Qxg2 17. Ke2 (
17. Rg1 $2 Qxf3 18. Nf6+ Bxf6 19. Bxf3 Bxc2 $19) 17... Bg4 18. Qb3 Rab8 19.
Rhg1 Qxf3+ 20. Qxf3 Bxf3+ 21. Kxf3 Rxb7 $15 {This endgame is better for Black.}
) 11. Nb3 {Of course, now I don't give up the c-pawn.} a5 (11... b6 12. c6 Nb8
13. Rc1 Bb4+ 14. Nbd2 Bf5 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Nxc6 17. O-O $14) 12. a4 $5 {
I supported my opponent's aspiration for a difficult fight.} (12. Bd3 a4 13.
Nbd4 Nxc5 14. O-O $11) 12... b6 13. c6 Bb4+ 14. Kd1 Nc5 {I prefer this move to
the passive:} (14... Nb8 $6 {with idea to win back a pawn.} 15. Nbd4 Bc5 16.
Bb5 Bg4 17. h3 Bxf3+ 18. Nxf3 Nxc6 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Ke2 {If the white king is
consolidated, Black will get an unpleasant endgame.}) 15. Nbd4 Ne4 $2 {The
black knight in the centre is beautiful, but not effective. Black had an
opportunity to activate other pieces:} (15... Bg4 $1 16. Bb5 ({During the game
I wanted to make another move:} 16. h3 $6 Bxf3+ 17. gxf3 Ne6 18. Qf5 {but here
I didn't see} Qh4 $1 $17 19. Bd3 g6 20. Rg1 Ng5 $1 $19) 16... Ne6 17. Kc1 Bc5
18. Qd2 Bb4 19. Qc2 Bc5 $11) 16. Bb5 {The white position is better. The pawn
on c6 is very strong!} g5 $2 {This is a continuation plan associated with
mistaken knight move.  Black could qualify for counterplay after} (16... Bg4
17. Kc1 Bh5 $5 18. Bd3 $5 (18. Kb1 Bg6 19. Bd3 Nxf2 20. Bxg6 Qxg6 21. Qxg6 fxg6
22. Rc1 Nd3 23. Rd1 Nf2 24. Rc1 Nd3 $11) 18... Nc5 19. Bf5 Bxf3 20. gxf3 g6 21.
Bh3 Na6 $1 22. Bf1 $5 (22. Kb1 Bc5 $11) 22... Rfc8 23. Bxa6 Rxa6 24. c7 Ra7 25.
Nb5 Bd6 26. Nxa7 Rxc7 27. Nc6 Bf8 28. Kb1 Rxc6 $44) 17. h3 $16 {Now Black is
devoid of any counterplay.} h5 $6 {This is an unnecessary weakening of the
king. Black should think about defence} (17... Ra7 18. Kc1 Rc7 19. Kb1 Rd8 20.
Ka2 Bf8 21. Rac1 Bg7 $16 {White's position is winning, but not very easy.}) 18.
Kc1 $1 {I can ignore the activity of my opponent.} Bc5 {This move is a
recognition of the failure of his plan. After} (18... g4 19. hxg4 hxg4 20. Kb1
$1 gxf3 21. gxf3 Ng5 22. Ka2 $18 {Black's king is doomed.}) 19. Kb1 Re8 20. Ka2
$18 {Black has played badly and this position is already absolutely lost. The
weakness of the kingside should soon be crucial.} Ra7 21. Rad1 Kf8 22. Rhf1 Kg7
23. Ka1 Bf8 $2 24. Ne2 Rd8 25. h4 $1 g4 26. Nf4 Kg8 27. Nxd5 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 $5 ({The text
move has become a valid alternative to the more standard} 6... d6 {, actually}
7. Nbd2 Ne7 {was played in the same round! For more details see the notes to
Svidler-Anand, Candidates 2014 in CBM 160.}) 7. Nbd2 (7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9.
Bb3 d6 10. Bg5 Be6 11. Nbd2 h6 12. Bh4 Bxb3 13. axb3 Nb8 14. h3 Nbd7 15. Nh2
Qe7 16. Ndf1 Bb6 17. Ne3 Qe6 18. b4 a5 19. bxa5 Bxa5 20. Nhg4 Bb6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6
22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 $11 {Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870)/WCh Chennai/2013/ For more
details see the notes to this game in CBM 158.}) (7. Qe2 a6 8. Ba4 Bf8 $5 9.
Rd1 b5 10. Bc2 Bb7 (10... d5 $5 $13) 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 d6 13. a4 Nb8 14. Na3 (
14. Nbd2 $142) 14... c6 15. d4 exd4 16. cxd4 Nbd7 17. e5 Qc7 18. Bg3 c5 $1 $132
19. axb5 cxd4 20. exd6 Bxd6 21. Qc4 Bxg3 22. hxg3 Qxc4 23. Nxc4 Bxf3 24. gxf3
axb5 25. Nd6 Rxa1 26. Rxa1 Re2 $11 {Svidler,P (2747)-Fressinet,L (2706)/Paris/
St Petersburg/2013/}) ({An interesting recent try is} 7. b4 $5 Bb6 (7... Bf8 8.
Bc4 d6 9. Ng5 Re7 10. Qb3 Qe8 11. a4 h6 12. Nf3 Be6 13. Nbd2 Rd8 14. Re1 g6 15.
a5 Bg7 (15... a6 $142 $14) 16. b5 Nb8 17. Ba3 Qd7 18. d4 Bxc4 19. Nxc4 $16 {
Ortiz Suarez,I (2601)-Alvarez Pedraza,A (2482)/Santa Clara/2014/}) 8. Bc4 d6 9.
a4 a6 10. Qb3 Be6 (10... Qe7 11. a5 Ba7 12. Be3 Be6 13. Nbd2 h6 14. Bxa7 Nxa7
15. Rfe1 Rad8 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 17. c4 Nc6 18. b5 Ne7 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Qd7 21.
Rab1 Ra8 22. Qc3 c6 23. bxc6 bxc6 24. c5 $14 {Kryvoruchko,Y (2696)-Harikrishna,
P (2709)/Bundesliga/2014/}) 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. a5 Ba7 13. Be3 h6 (13... Bxe3
$142 14. fxe3 d5 $132) 14. c4 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Ng4 16. Re1 Ne7 17. Nc3 Ng6 18. h3
Nf6 19. Ra2 c6 20. d4 exd4 21. exd4 Qd7 22. Rf2 $14 {Balogh,C (2632)-Stern,R 
(2513)/Bundesliga/2014/}) 7... a6 (7... Bf8 8. Re1 a6 9. Bxc6 bxc6 (9... dxc6
$142) 10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 a5 12. b3 d5 $6 (12... Ba6 $132) 13. e5 Nd7 14. Qc2
Ra6 15. Nf1 c5 16. Bg5 Be7 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Rac1 Bb7 19. Ng3 Qf8 20. Nh5 Rc6
21. Qd2 a4 22. Nf4 axb3 23. axb3 $36 {Svetushkin,D (2598)-Georgiev,K (2658)/
Roquetas de Mar/2012/}) 8. Bxc6 {It's more usual to retain the bishop.} ({
Even Karjakin used to play} 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 (9. Bc2 d5 (9... h6 10. h3 d5 11.
Re1 Bf8 12. Nf1 Be6 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Ng3 Qd6 15. Be3 Nb8 16. d4 exd4 17. Nf5
Qc6 18. N3xd4 Qb7 19. f3 Nbd7 20. Qd2 h5 21. Qf2 c5 22. Ne2 g6 23. Nfg3 Qc7 24.
Bf4 Qc6 25. Nf1 Bg7 $11 {Areshchenko,A (2708)-Leko,P (2737)/Kiev rpd/2013/})
10. exd5 Qxd5 11. Qe2 Bg4 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. dxe4 Qd7 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Qxe3 Na5
16. Bb3 Nxb3 17. axb3 a5 18. h3 Bh5 19. Rfd1 Qe6 20. g4 Bg6 21. Rd5 c6 22. Rxe5
Qxb3 23. Rxa5 Qxb2 $11 {Rozentalis,E (2622)-Lenic,L (2651)/AUT-chT/2014/}) 9...
d6 10. Re1 (10. a4 Rb8 11. axb5 axb5 12. Re1 Bb6 13. Nf1 Ne7 14. Nh4 Bg4 15.
Qc2 Ng6 16. Nxg6 hxg6 17. Be3 Be6 18. Bxe6 Rxe6 19. Bxb6 Rxb6 20. d4 d5 21.
exd5 Qxd5 22. dxe5 Rxe5 23. Rad1 Qe6 $11 {Karjakin,S (2782)-Leko,P (2737)/Kiev
rpd/2013/}) (10. h3 Be6 11. Re1 Bb6 12. Nf1 d5 13. Qe2 Na5 14. Bc2 dxe4 15.
dxe4 Bc4 16. Qd2 Bxf1 17. Rxf1 Qxd2 18. Nxd2 c5 19. Re1 c4 20. Nf3 {Fressinet,
L (2700)-Aronian,L (2815)/Beijing blitz/2012/} h6 $11) 10... Be6 11. Nf1 Bxb3
12. axb3 d5 (12... h6 13. Nh4 d5 14. Qf3 Nxe4 15. dxe4 Qxh4 16. exd5 e4 17. Qg3
Qxg3 18. Nxg3 Ne7 19. Rxe4 f5 20. Re6 Nxd5 21. Raxa6 f4 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Nf1
Ra1 $44 {Polgar,J (2693)-Pashikian,A (2612)/EU-ch Yerevan/2014/}) 13. Qc2 h6
14. Ng3 a5 15. h3 Qd7 16. Be3 Bf8 $5 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nf5 Qe6 19. g4 dxe4 20.
dxe4 Ne7 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Ra1 Ra8 23. c4 b4 24. g5 hxg5 25. Nxg5 Qc8 26. Nxe7+
Bxe7 27. Kh2 Ra6 $1 $15 {Radjabov,T (2793)-Aronian,L (2809)/London Candidates/
2013/ For more details see the notes to this game by Szabo in CBM 154.}) 8...
dxc6 (8... bxc6 9. Nxe5 $5 (9. d4 exd4 10. cxd4 Ba7 11. Qc2 a5 $13) 9... Rxe5
10. d4 $14) 9. Nc4 (9. Qc2 Nd7 10. Nc4 Bd6 11. Bg5 f6 12. Be3 Qe7 (12... Nf8
13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Qe7 15. Nf5 Qxe4 16. Qxe4 Rxe4 17. Nfxd6 cxd6 18. Nxd6 Re7
19. Rfe1 Bg4 20. f3 Be6 21. b3 b5 22. Bc5 Rd7 {Van Kampen,R (2601)-Balogh,C 
(2648)/Zuerich/2013/} 23. f4 $14) 13. Nfd2 (13. b4 $5) 13... c5 14. Nxd6 Qxd6
15. Nb3 b6 16. d4 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Ne5 19. f3 c5 20. Ne2 Qd3 $36 {
Bok,B (2540)-Hammer,J (2612)/London/2013/}) 9... Nd7 (9... Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11.
Bg5 (11. g4 Nxg4 12. hxg4 Bxg4 $44) 11... h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 Nd7 14. Bh2 b5
15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Qe7 17. Qc2 Bg6 18. a4 (18. c4 $142 $1) 18... c5 19. b4
c4 20. dxc4 bxc4 21. Nd2 Qe6 22. Qa2 f6 23. Qxc4 Qxc4 24. Nxc4 Bxe4 $36 {
[%csl Ge4,Rh2] Bok,B (2575)-Matlakov,M (2695)/EU-ch Yerevan/2014/}) 10. b4 (10.
Re1 Bf8 (10... a5 $5) 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Nf6 13. Nce5 Be6 (13... Ng4 14. Nd3
Nf6 $132) (13... Nxe4 $5 14. Rxe4 f6 $13) 14. h3 Nd7 15. Nd3 f6 16. Qc2 Bf7 17.
Bd2 a5 18. b3 Ba3 19. Rad1 Nf8 20. Bc1 Bxc1 21. Nxc1 Qd7 22. Ne2 Bh5 23. Nh4
Qe7 24. f3 Bf7 25. Nc3 $14 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4] Alekseev,E (2683)-Godena,M (2526)/
EU Cup Eilat/2012/}) 10... Bd6 (10... Bf8 11. Bg5 f6 12. Be3 Nb8 13. Qc2 Be6
14. Nfd2 Nd7 15. Na5 (15. f4 exf4 16. Bxf4 c5 $132) 15... Qc8 16. Rfb1 Bf7 17.
a3 b6 18. Nab3 a5 19. Nc4 $6 (19. bxa5 bxa5 20. a4 $13) 19... a4 20. Nc1 f5 $5
21. exf5 Nf6 22. Ne2 Qxf5 23. Ng3 Qg6 24. Nd2 Rad8 $15 {Shomoev,A (2565)
-Goganov,A (2562)/Yekaterinburg/2013/}) 11. Qb3 $146 {A novelty, directed
against the consolidating f6. Other moves don't promise White anything
tangible:} (11. Bg5 f6 (11... Be7 12. Be3 Bf6 13. Qc2 Qe7 14. a4 Nf8 15. Nfd2
Ng6 16. Nb3 Bg5 17. Rae1 Bf4 18. f3 Be6 19. Bf2 Rad8 20. Nca5 Bc8 21. Nc5 {
Najer,E (2669)-Balogh,C (2605)/AUT-chT/2009/} Qg5 $1 $13 {/\} 22. Naxb7 Bxb7
23. Nxb7 Rxd3 $1 24. Qxd3 $2 Bxh2+ 25. Kxh2 Nf4 $19) 12. Be3 Nf8 13. Nfd2 (13.
Nh4 g6 14. Nxd6 cxd6 15. Qd2 d5 16. f3 Ne6 $11 {1/2, Palac,M (2571)-Balogh,C 
(2609)/BIH-chT Banja Vrucica/2009/}) 13... Be6 14. Nb3 Qd7 15. Qe2 Ng6 16. Rfd1
Bf8 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. bxc5 f5 19. f3 Bxc4 20. dxc4 Qe6 $132 {Rublevsky,S (2693)
-Kurnosov,I (2660)/EU Cup Eilat/2012/}) (11. Be3 Nf8 12. Qc2 Ng6 13. a3 Be6 14.
Nxd6 cxd6 15. d4 Nh4 16. Nxh4 Qxh4 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Bb6 Bc4 19. Rfd1 Re6 20.
Be3 Rd8 $11 {[%csl Gc4,Ge3] 1/2, Palac,M (2586)-Petkov,V (2493)/Zagreb/2011/})
11... Nf8 (11... Qe7 12. Bg5 Qe6 13. Be3 $14 {is perhaps slightly better for
White - Black prefer to keep e6 free for his bishop, or knight.}) (11... Qf6
12. Bg5 (12. Re1 Nb6 {Moradiabadi} 13. Na5 Bg4 $5 14. Nxb7 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Re6
$44)) 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. Be3 Ng6 14. Nfd2 (14. Rad1 $142 Qe7 15. h3 Be6 16. Qc2 {
[%cal Yc4a5]} b6 $5 (16... Rad8 17. Na5 Bc8 18. a4 $13 {/+/=}) 17. Nxd6 Qxd6
18. d4 Bc4 19. dxe5 Qe6 20. Rfe1 a5 $1 $132) 14... Bf8 15. d4 {More or less
forced due to White's previous move. While the central advance is one of
White's main ideas in the Exchange Ruy Lopez structures, here it doesn't
promise anything - due to White's b4 Black can more easily get rid of his
doubled c-pawns. Also White's queenside will be vulnerable (the c4-square).} (
15. Qc2 Rd8 $36) 15... Qe7 16. dxe5 {It's difficult for White to
advantageously retain the central tension:} (16. Qc2 exd4 17. cxd4 f5 $1 18.
exf5 Nh4 $15) 16... Be6 17. Qc2 Bxc4 18. Nxc4 Nxe5 19. Nd2 ({White should have
probably preferred to bale out with the simple} 19. Nxe5 $142 Qxe5 20. f3 Bd6 (
20... c5 $11) 21. g3 a5 22. Bd4 {and the position remains roughly equal. From
now on Aronian takes over the initiative.}) 19... a5 $1 20. a3 axb4 21. axb4
Qe6 {[%csl Rc4]} 22. f3 (22. Bd4 $5 Nc4 (22... Nd7 23. f4 c5 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25.
f5 Qc6 26. e5 $132) 23. Nxc4 Qxc4 24. Qd2 c5 $11 {/=/+} (24... Rxa1 25. Rxa1
Rxe4 26. Ra8 Re2 27. Bc5 $1 Qxc5 28. Qxe2 Qxc3 29. g3 Qxb4 30. Rd8 $44 {/+/=}))
22... Nc4 23. Bf4 (23. Bf2 $142 Bd6 24. Rfd1 {and Black is at best only
marginally better.}) 23... c5 (23... b5 $5 $15 {[%cal Yc6c5]} 24. Nb3 Qf6 $36)
24. b5 Nd6 25. Rxa8 ({White didn't have to give up the open file.} 25. Qb2 $142
$5) 25... Rxa8 26. Rb1 b6 $5 ({After} 26... Ra2 27. Rb2 (27. Qb3 Qxb3 28. Rxb3
b6 $15 {[%csl Rb5,Rc3]}) 27... Ra3 {White can consider} 28. b6 $5 {, therefore
Levon prevents this advance.}) 27. e5 $6 {Limits the bishop and further
weakens White's position.} (27. Qd3 $142 $15) 27... Nc4 28. Qe4 (28. Nxc4 Qxc4
29. Bg3 Ra3 $36) 28... Ra4 {[%cal Rc4d2]} 29. Rc1 (29. Nxc4 $2 Rxc4 30. Qe3 Qf5
$19) 29... h6 ({Black could have also played} 29... Nb2 $5 30. c4 Qd7 $36 {
immediately}) 30. h4 ({White doesn't need an airhole immediately,} 30. Bg3 $5
Nb2 31. Qc2 $15 {is more resilient.}) 30... Nb2 $1 31. c4 $8 Qd7 32. Rb1 (32.
Rc2 Nd3 $17) 32... Ra2 {[%cal Yd7d4]} (32... Nd3 $143 33. Be3 {We'll soon see
it's more flexible to keep the knight on b2 for the time being.}) 33. Be3 $6 (
33. Nb3 $142 $5 Nd3 (33... Nd1 34. Rc1 Rb2 35. Rc2 $1 {/\} Rxb3 36. Rd2 $11)
34. Bg3) 33... Na4 $1 {[%cal Ra4c3,Ra2d2]} 34. Rb3 $2 {Now Black's material
advantage will decide the issue.} (34. Re1 $142 Nc3 (34... Rxd2 35. e6 fxe6 36.
Bxd2 Qxd2 37. Qxe6+ Kh8 38. Qe8 Qd4+ 39. Re3 $1 $44) 35. Qg4 (35. e6 Qxe6 36.
Qd3 Qf6 $17) 35... Qd3 36. e6 Ne2+ 37. Kf2 Nd4 38. exf7+ Kxf7 39. Qd7+ Kg8 40.
Qd5+ Kh7 41. Qe4+ Qxe4 42. fxe4 Kg6 $17 {leads to a very unpleasant endgame,
but at least material remains equal for the time being.}) 34... Rxd2 35. Bxd2
Qxd2 36. Rd3 Qc1+ 37. Kh2 Nb2 $1 {Consistent, White's counterattack will be
insufficient.} 38. Rd8 (38. Rd7 Qxc4 39. Rxc7 Qxe4 40. fxe4 g6 $19) 38... Qxc4
39. Qa8 Qxh4+ 40. Kg1 Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Qxe5+ 42. g3 (42. Kh3 Kh7 43. Rxf8 Nd3 $40)
42... Qe2+ 43. Kh3 Nd3 $1 (43... Qe7 44. Re8 Qd6 45. Rd8 {can't save the piece,
so Black proceeds with his own attack.}) 44. Rxf8+ ({A more exciting try was} 
44. Re8 $5 Nf2+ 45. Kh4 Qf1 $1 (45... Qxb5 46. Rxf8+ Kh7 47. g4 Qc4 48. Kh5 $1
g6+ 49. Kh4 Qe6 50. Kg3 Nd3 51. Rh8+ Kg7 52. Qf8+ Kf6 53. Qd8+ Kg7 54. Qf8+ $11
) 46. Rxf8+ Kh7 47. Rh8+ Kg6 48. Qc6+ Kf5 49. g4+ Ke5 50. f4+ (50. Re8+ Kd4 51.
Qd7+ Kc3 52. Re3+ Nd3 $19) (50. Qxc7+ Kd4 51. Qf4+ (51. Qh2 Qe1 $5 (51... Nd3
52. Rd8+ Kc3 $19) 52. Ra8 Ne4+ 53. Kh3 Ng5+ $19) 51... Kc3 52. Qe5+ Kb3 $19)
50... Kxf4 51. Qxc7+ Ke3 52. Qg3+ Kd2 53. Qf4+ Kc2 54. Qf5+ Kc3 55. Qf3+ Kb4 {
and after the checks end, Black wins - e.g.} 56. Ra8 Qd3 $1 $19 {/\} 57. Qxf2
g5+ 58. Kh5 Qh3+) 44... Kh7 45. Re8 Nf2+ 46. Kh4 Qxb5 (46... Qf1 $5 {should
also win}) 47. g4 Qc4 $1 {[]} 48. Qc8 $6 {Simplifies Black's task.} ({After} 
48. Kh5 g6+ 49. Kh4 {Black has} Qd4 $19 {- in the previous note with White's
rook on f8 this move was impossible.}) (48. Rh8+ $142 Kg6 49. Qc6+ Qe6 50. Qxc7
(50. Qxe6+ fxe6 51. Rc8 Nd3 52. Rxc7 b5 $19) 50... Nd3 (50... c4 $5) (50... Qe1
51. Qc6+ f6 52. Qe8+ Qxe8 53. Rxe8 b5 54. Rd8 c4 $19) 51. Rd8 Kh7 $1 $19 {
and Black gradually converts -} 52. Rxd3 Qe1+ {[%cal Re1f1] wins the rook.})
48... Qf4 $19 {[%cal Rf4h2]} 49. Qf5+ (49. Rh8+ Kg6 50. Qf5+ Qxf5 51. gxf5+
Kxf5 $19) 49... Qxf5 50. gxf5 c4 51. Re7 (51. Kg3 Nd3 $19 {[%cal Rc4c1]}) 51...
c5 52. Rxf7 c3 53. f6 Kg6 $1 (53... Kg6 54. Rxg7+ Kxf6 55. Rg1 Nd3 56. Rg2 $8
b5 $19 {[%cal Rb5b3]}) 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 8.
e3 Qa5 9. Bd3 c4 10. Bf5 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Nd2 g6 13. Bxd7 Nxd7 14. h4 {
White is preparing activity on the kingside and at the same time protecting
his bishop on g5.} (14. f3) (14. Rae1) 14... b5 {The most popular move in this
critical position seems to be 14...Nb6. Mamedyarov is unhappy that the pawns
of the queenside would lose mobility, on the other hand the bishop c8 could
become more active.} (14... Nb6 15. f3 (15. Nb3 Qa6 16. Nc5 Qa5 17. a4 (17. Nb3
Qa6 18. Nc5 Qa5 19. Nb3 {1/2-1/2ќ Orsag,M-Sosonko,G/Aaland-Stockholm 1997/ (19)
}) (17. e4 $5) 17... Bf5 18. e4 (18. Qd1 Bxc5 19. dxc5 Qxc5 20. a5 Nd7 21. Qxd5
Qxd5 22. Nxd5 Bd3 $13) 18... dxe4 (18... Bxe4 $5 19. N3xe4 dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nd5
$15) 19. Nxb7 Qa6 20. Nc5 Qc8 (20... Bxc5 21. dxc5 e3 22. Qc1 Nd7 23. Bxe3 Qc6
24. Nb5 Bd3 25. Rd1 Re4 $132) 21. Qe2 a5 $6 (21... Bxc5 22. dxc5 Qxc5 23. g4
Bc8 24. Nxe4 Nd7 $13) 22. N5xe4 Nd7 (22... Bxe4 23. Nxe4 Nd5 $44) 23. f3 Qc6
24. Qf2 $14 {1/2 (42) Kempinski,R (2587)-Tischbierek,R (2523) Germany 2002/} (
24. Rac1)) (15. e4 Bxc3 16. bxc3 dxe4 17. Nxe4 Nd5 18. Nf6+ Nxf6 19. Bxf6 Bf5
20. Qd2 Re6 21. Bg5 f6 22. Bh6 Qd5 {1/2-1/2 Cvitan,O-Palac,M/Pula 1993/EXT 99 
(35)}) 15... Bf8 (15... Bxc3 16. bxc3 Qa4 (16... Na4 17. Rac1 (17. Rfc1 Bd7 18.
e4 Re6 19. Rab1 Nb6 20. Rb4 Rae8 21. e5 Na4 22. Nf1 Rb6 23. a3 $14 {1-0 (33)
Malakhatko,V (2612)-Paehtz,E (2481) Dresden 2008}) 17... Bd7 18. e4 f5 19. Rfe1
Rac8 20. Nf1 dxe4 21. fxe4 fxe4 22. Rxe4 Bf5 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Qd2 Qb5 25. Ne3
$16 {Dautov,R-Tischbierek,R/Bad Mergentheim/1991/}) (16... Bd7 17. e4 f5 18.
Rfe1 $6 (18. e5 $16) 18... Qa4 19. Qc1 dxe4 $1 20. fxe4 Qc6 21. e5 Nd5 $10 {
Dautov,R-Winants,L/Belgique/1992/}) 17. Qc1 $6 (17. Qb1 Qa3 18. Rc1 Bd7 19. e4
Rac8 20. Nf1 dxe4 21. fxe4 f5 22. e5 Nd5 23. Qc2 f4 24. Qf2 b5 25. h5 Re6 26.
Qf3 Bc6 27. Nd2 {1-0 Pinter,J-Greenfeld,A/Beersheba/1991/ (51)}) 17... Bf5 $1
18. Re1 Qc6 (18... Qc2 19. e4 $14) 19. Nf1 Na4 20. Ng3 Bd3 21. Nh1 Kg7 22. Nf2
f6 23. Bf4 h6 (23... Bf5 24. e4 (24. g4 Bd3 25. Qd2 Rac8) 24... dxe4 25. g4 e3
26. Rxe3 Bd3 27. Qd2) 24. Qa3 g5 {1-0 (58) Sokolov,I (2665)-Sosonko,G (2515)
Amsterdam 1996/}) (15... f6 16. Bf4 (16. Bh6 $5 Bd7 17. h5 $36) 16... Bd7 17.
a3 $142 (17. Rae1 Bxc3 (17... Ba4 $1 18. Qc1 Bc6 19. e4 Na4 $1 $132 {/\} 20.
Re3 $140 $2 Qb6) 18. bxc3 Na4 19. Nb1 f5 20. h5 $40) (17. e4 $6 Ba4 $1 18. Qc1
Bc6 19. Re1 (19. exd5 Bxc3 20. dxc6 Bxd4+ 21. Kh1 bxc6 22. Nxc4 Qh5 $10) (19.
e5 $2 Na4 20. Nxa4 fxe5 $1 21. a3 Bxd2 22. Bxd2 Qxa4 23. dxe5 d4 $36) 19... Na4
$1 20. Nxa4 (20. exd5 $5 Rxe1+ 21. Qxe1 Bxd5 22. Nde4 Nxc3 23. bxc3 Be7 $10)
20... Qxa4 21. e5 Ba5 $1 22. exf6 Bb6 23. Qc3 Ba5 {˝-˝ Dautov,R-Lutz,C/BL
9192/1992/'}) 17... Bxc3 18. bxc3 Ba4 19. Qc1 Bc6 20. Ra2 Re6 21. Re1 $14) (
15... Bd7 16. e4 (16. Rae1 Na4 17. Ndb1 Re6 18. e4 Nxc3 19. bxc3 Bf8 20. exd5
Qxd5 21. Rxe6 Qxe6 22. Nd2 f5 23. Qb1 Qd5 24. Re1 Re8 25. Rxe8 Bxe8 26. Qe1 {
Dizdar,G-Kovacevic,Vlad/Makarska/1993/0-1 (56)}) 16... Bc6 17. Rae1 Re6 18. e5
Bd7 19. g4 Rc6 20. Re2 Re8 21. Rg2 Nc8 22. f4 Ra6 23. Nf3 h5 24. f5 hxg4 25. e6
{1-0 Yrjola,J-Siklosi,Z/HUN-ch op Eger/1987 (34)}) 16. e4 Bg7 17. Be3 (17. exd5
Bf5 18. Nde4 Nxd5 19. Qf2 Nxc3 20. bxc3 Qa6 21. Rae1 h6 22. Bf4 Rad8 23. Re3
Qc6 24. Rfe1 {1/2-1/2 Ftacnik,L-Winants,L (03)/Tilburg1.29 (30')/1992/ (35)})
17... Be6 18. a4 Bd7 19. h5 Rac8 20. Rfe1 Bc6 21. hxg6 hxg6 22. e5 Na8 23. Nf1
Nc7 24. f4 Bd7 25. Ng3 {1-0 (44) Cheparinov,I (2670)-Mamedyarov,S (2752)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2007}) (14... f6 15. Bf4 (15. Bh6 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nb6 17. f3 Qa4
18. Qc1 Bd7 19. e4 Re6 20. Re1 Rae8 21. Re3 Bc6 22. Qf1 Qc2 23. Qf2 Na4 24.
Rae1 Nxc3 25. exd5 Rxe3 26. Rxe3 Nxd5 27. Rxe8+ Bxe8 28. Qe1 {1/2 (30)
Tregubov,P (2647)-Iotov,V (2556) Manama 2009}) 15... Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nb6 17. f3
Qa4 18. Qb2 Bf5 19. Rfe1 Qc6 20. Qa3 Bd3 21. Qxa7 {1/2 (21) Malakhatko,V (2569)
-Aleksandrov,A (2639) Kolkata 2009}) (14... Bf8 15. e4 h6 16. Be3 dxe4 17. Nxc4
Qh5 18. Nxe4 Qxh4 19. f3 a5 20. Bf2 Qd8 21. d5 Ra6 22. a4 f5 23. Nc3 Nf6 24.
Rfe1 Bb4 25. Rxe8+ Nxe8 26. Rd1 $14 {1-0 (53) Romanov,E (2547)-Aleksandrov,A 
(2582) Dagomys 2008}) 15. a4 {There are hardly any examples played with the
slightly unusual move 14...b5. Kramnik decides to undermine the pawn structure
right away.} (15. a3 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nb6 17. f3 Na4 18. Rac1 Nb6 19. Ra1 Na4 20.
Rac1 f6 21. Bf4 Qd8 22. e4 $11 {0-1 (62) Lekic,D (2390)-Mikhalevski,V (2608)
Budva 2009}) 15... Bxc3 (15... Bb7 16. axb5 Qb6 17. b3 $16) 16. bxc3 b4 17.
cxb4 Qxb4 18. Nb1 (18. Rfb1 Qd6 19. Qc3 Rb8 20. Rxb8 Qxb8 21. Bf4 Qa8 22. e4
Nf6 23. Be5 Ng4 24. Bg3 Bb7 $11) 18... Qd6 {Mamedyarov is a great player in
positions with tactical content. A pure strategic fight leaves him a bit
restless as he has little chances to demonstrate the small miracles he can
achieve with the pieces.} (18... Bb7 $5 19. Nc3 Bc6 20. e4 Qd6 21. Rfe1 Rac8
$11) 19. Nc3 Qc6 (19... Nf8 20. Bf4 Qc6 21. Qb2 Ne6 22. Bh2 $14) 20. Rfb1 Ba6
21. Qd1 (21. Qe2 f6 22. Bh6 (22. Bf4 Nf8 23. Qf3 Rad8) 22... Rad8 (22... Rab8
23. Qf3 Rxb1+ 24. Rxb1 Bb7 25. Nxd5 Ba8 26. e4 f5 27. Qc3 Rxe4 28. f3 Re6 29.
Ne3 $16) 23. Qf3 Nb6 24. Bf4 $14) 21... f6 22. Bf4 Rad8 23. Qf3 Nf8 24. Bh6 {
The former world champion was quite satisfied with his achievements as his
opponent is reduced to passive play. Objectively speaking it is not so easy
for White to make real progress.} Kf7 (24... Rd7 25. Rb4 Kf7 26. Rd1 $14) 25.
Rb2 Ne6 26. Rab1 (26. Rd1 Ng7 27. g4 Kg8 28. Rdb1 $14) 26... Ng7 27. g4 {
Kramnik was unhappy about this ambitious advance that tries to limit Black's
possibilities. Pawns in front of the white king become exposed. which may
prove to be critical in the event of the opening of the position.} Kg8 28. Qf4
(28. a5 Rf8 29. Qg2 $14) 28... Kf7 (28... Qd7 29. Qf3 Qf7 $11) 29. e4 $6 {
It seems that White is not able to improve his pieces any more so he decides
to start the war. In a complicated tactical fight chances will be shared by
both players especially after the clever 31st black move.} (29. Rb5 $5 Bxb5 30.
axb5 Qb7 $15) (29. Bxg7 Kxg7 30. Rb8 (30. e4 dxe4 31. d5 Qd6 $15) 30... Qe6 $11
) (29. Qf3 $14) 29... Ne6 30. exd5 (30. Qe3 Nc5 $1 31. exd5 Qd7 32. Qf3 Nd3 33.
Re2 Rxe2 34. Qxe2 Bc8 35. f3 f5 $11) 30... Nxf4 31. dxc6 g5 $5 {[%mdl 64] The
ambitions of Kramnik were marred by the shock as the bishop on h6 will have to
fear for its life.} (31... Rxd4 32. Rb7+ Bxb7 33. cxb7 Rb8 34. Nb5 Ne6 35. Nxd4
Nxd4 36. a5 a6 37. Rb6 c3 $11) 32. hxg5 fxg5 33. c7 {Numerous attractive ideas
had to be judged against each other under the conditions of a ticking clock
and very complicated positions that defy clear evaluation.} (33. Rb7+ $1 Bxb7
34. Rxb7+ Kg6 (34... Ke6 35. Kh2 Rg8 36. c7 Rc8 37. Rxa7 $11) 35. Bg7 Ne2+ 36.
Nxe2 Rxe2 37. Kf1 $5 Re4 38. Be5 $11) (33. Nb5 Re6 (33... c3 34. Nxc3 Kg6 35.
c7 Rxd4 36. Nb5 Rxa4 37. Nxa7 Kxh6 38. Rb8 Re7 39. R8b6+ Ng6 40. Rc1 $11) 34.
c7 Rc8 35. Bxg5 Nh3+ 36. Kg2 Nxg5 37. d5 Rg6 38. d6 Bxb5 39. Rxb5 Rxd6 40. Rxg5
Rxc7 41. Rh5 Kg7 42. Rg5+ $11) 33... Rd6 34. Bxg5 Nh3+ 35. Kg2 Nxg5 36. d5 Bc8
(36... Rf6 37. Rb8 Bc8) 37. Rb8 Rf6 {Kramnik has felt that serious counterplay
with passed pawns should be enough for equality, but even shortly before the
time control the situation remains exceptionally messy. It is much easier to
claim after the game that White had at least two ways to keep full equality
with 38.Nb5 or 38.Rf1. In any case the rook move is rather unfortunate, as the
chances have much improved for Mamedyarov.} 38. Ra8 $2 (38. Re1 $2 Rxe1 39.
Rxc8 Nf3 $1 40. Rf8+ $1 Kxf8 41. c8=Q+ Kg7 42. Qc7+ Kh6 $1 43. Qxa7 (43. Kg3
Rg1+ 44. Kh3 Ng5+ 45. Kh4 Rh1+ 46. Kg3 Rf1 $15) (43. Qc5 Rg1+ 44. Kh3 Ng5+ 45.
Kh2 Rxg4 $17) 43... Rg1+ 44. Kh3 Ng5+ 45. Kh4 Rh1+ 46. Kg3 Rh3+ 47. Kg2 Rxc3
48. f4 Rc2+ 49. Kg3 Ne4+ 50. Kf3 Nd2+ 51. Ke2 Rxf4 52. Kd1 $15) (38. Rf1 $5 Rf8
(38... Nf3 39. Rh1 Ng5 40. Rf1) 39. f4 Ke7 40. Re1+ Kd7 41. fxg5 Rf2+ 42. Kg1
Kxc7 43. Rb5 R2f4 44. Ne4 Rxg4+ 45. Kh2 Rh4+ 46. Kg3 Rg4+ 47. Kh2 $11) (38. Nb5
Bxg4 39. Rxe8 Kxe8 40. Nxa7 Bh3+ 41. Kg3 Rf3+ 42. Kh4 h6 43. Rb8+ Ke7 44. c8=Q
Bxc8 45. Rxc8 Kd6 46. Rxc4 Kxd5 47. Rc8 $11) 38... Rf4 $1 39. f3 $1 (39. Nb5
Rxg4+ 40. Kf1 Ne4 41. f3 Rf4 42. Rxc8 Rxc8 43. Ke2 Ng3+ 44. Kf2 Nf5 45. Re1 Kf8
46. d6 Nxd6 47. Nxd6 Rxc7 $19) 39... Rxf3 {The sensible tradition of judging
the choices made under time pressure with greater leniency has to be applied
also for the last black move. It was not possible to get more than a slight
advantage with 39...Nf3, but the situation would have been unpleasant for the
adversary.} (39... Nxf3 $1 40. Rxc8 $1 (40. Kg3 Rxg4+ 41. Kxf3 Rg6 42. Rxc8
Rf6+ 43. Kg4 Rxc8 44. Rb7 Ke7 $17) 40... Rxc8 41. Nb5 Ke7 (41... Rg8 42. c8=Q (
42. Nd6+ Kf6 43. Rb8 Ne1+ 44. Kh3 Rfxg4 45. Ne8+ Ke5 46. c8=Q Rg3+ $19) 42...
Rxc8 43. Nd6+ Kf6 44. Nxc8 Nd2 $15) 42. d6+ Kd7 43. Nxa7 Rg8 44. c8=Q+ Rxc8 45.
Rb7+ Kd8 46. Nxc8 Kxc8 47. Rc7+ Kd8 48. a5 Ng5 49. a6 c3 50. Rxc3 Ra4 $15) 40.
d6 $2 {In a great tradition of celebrated omissions on the 40th move Kramnik
makes a mistake, that will push him closer to disaster.} (40. Rbb8 $1 Rxc3 (
40... Bxg4 41. Rxe8 Rxc3 42. c8=Q Rc2+ 43. Kg3 Bxc8 44. Rexc8 $18) 41. Rxc8
Rc2+ 42. Kg3 Rc3+ 43. Kg2 (43. Kf4 $2 Nh3+ 44. Kf5 Rf3#) 43... Rc2+ $11) 40...
Bxg4 41. Rxe8 Kxe8 42. Rb8+ Kf7 43. Rd8 (43. Nd1 Bh3+ 44. Kh2 Bd7 45. c8=Q Bxc8
46. Rxc8 Rd3 47. Nf2 Rd4 48. d7 Ne6 $17) 43... Bh3+ 44. Kh2 Rxc3 45. d7 (45.
c8=Q $2 Bxc8 46. Rxc8 Ke6 $19) 45... Rc2+ 46. Kg3 (46. Kh1 Nf3 47. Rf8+ Ke6 48.
Rxf3 Bg2+ 49. Kg1 Kxd7 $19) 46... Rg2+ 47. Kh4 $2 {We have to be strict with
this courageous move. The white king at the edge of the board is risking very
harsh treatment. For better or worse the last chance for Kramnik was to fool
around with the king in the opposite direction.} (47. Kf4 $1 Ne6+ 48. Kf3 Nxc7
49. Rf8+ Kxf8 50. d8=Q+ Ne8 51. Qh4 Rc2 52. Qxh7 $15) 47... Be6 $3 48. Rf8+ (
48. c8=Q $4 Nf3+ 49. Kh5 Rh2#) 48... Kxf8 $4 {Mamedyarov has suddenly lost
control of his nerves and the situation. Two consecutive great mistake will
cost him the whole point. Maybe even the author could not sensibly explain,
why he refrained from the incomparably more logical move 48...Kg6!} (48... Kg6
$1 49. Rg8+ Kh6 50. Rxg5 Rh2+ 51. Kg3 Bxd7 52. Rg8 Rh3+ 53. Kf2 Ra3 $19) 49.
c8=Q+ Kg7 $2 (49... Kf7 50. Kh5 $3 (50. d8=N+ Kf6 51. Nxe6 Nxe6 52. Qxc4 $14)
50... Bg4+ 51. Kh6 $1 Ne6 52. Qe8+ Kf6 53. d8=Q+ Nxd8 54. Qxd8+ Ke5 55. Qb8+
Kd4 56. Qxa7+ $16) 50. Qb7 $1 {Most players have already experienced the
situation, when the smoke of the battle finally clears and they look with
astonishment at the ruins of their own efforts. It would be understandable if
Shakhriyar had secretly shed a tear in the face of a disaster.} Nf3+ (50...
Rh2+ 51. Kg3 Rh3+ 52. Kf4 Rb3 53. Qxb3 cxb3 54. d8=Q $18) 51. Qxf3 Rh2+ 52. Kg5
h6+ (52... Bxd7 53. Qf6+ Kg8 54. Qd8+ Kg7 55. Qxd7+ $18) 53. Kf4 Rh4+ 54. Ke5 {
The level of complexity in this game has definitely influenced the fact that
both great players failed to play consistently well throughout the battle.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 ({While the Candidates featured only one
Berlin endgame, in Shamkir the players were more willing to give it a try.
White even managed to claim a prominent victim - the World Champion! - but
otherwise the defence mostly held good:} 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 (5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5
Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13.
Nc3 Bxd4 14. Nd5 d6 15. Bg5 f6 16. Qe4 fxg5 17. Bd3 Kf8 18. Qxd4 c6 19. Nc3 Qf6
20. Qe4 d5 21. Qxh7 Qh6 22. Re1 Bd7 $11 {Abasov,N (2516)-Bacrot,E (2722)/
Shamkir-B/2014/}) 5... Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 {
Lately White has often tried an early Rd1 to limit Black's options, concerning
the placement of his king. Black in turn has started to preempt this with the
text move.} (9... h6 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. Nc3 Bd7 ({Fashion, but there is not too
much wrong with} 11... Ne7 {- see the notes by Postny to Azarov-Naiditsch in
CBM 148}) 12. Bf4 Rd8 13. Ne4 $5 $146 (13. e6 Bxe6 14. Bxc7 Rxd1+ 15. Rxd1 Be7
16. g4 Nh4 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. Re1 Kf8 19. Bg3 g5 20. Bxh4 gxh4 21. Ne4 Kg7 22. Kg2
Rd8 23. c3 h5 24. f3 Bc8 $11 {Caruana,F (2779)-Ponomariov,R (2756)/Elancourt/
2013/}) 13... Be7 14. g4 Nh4 15. Nxh4 Bxh4 16. Kg2 Be6 17. f3 b6 18. b3 c5 19.
c4 Rd7 (19... Ke7 $5 20. Bg3 Bxg3 21. Kxg3 Rd4 $132) 20. Bg3 Be7 21. Rxd7 Bxd7
$6 (21... Kxd7 22. f4 g6 23. Rf1 $14) 22. Nc3 Kd8 23. Nd5 Re8 24. Rd1 Kc8 $2 (
24... c6 25. Nxe7 Rxe7 26. f4 $36 {[%cal Yf4f5,Rg3h4]}) 25. Nxc7 $1 Rd8 26. Nd5
Re8 27. Be1 Bd8 28. Bc3 $16 {Caruana,F (2783)-Carlsen,M (2881)/Shamkir/2014/
White went on to cleanly convert his extra pawn.}) ({However, the queenside
king transfer also seems viable:} 9... Bd7 10. Nc3 h6 11. Rd1 Kc8 12. b3 b6 13.
Ne2 c5 14. Bb2 Bc6 15. Ne1 h5 16. c4 Kb7 17. Nf4 h4 18. Nd5 Re8 19. Nc2 Be7 20.
Rd3 Bg5 21. Ne1 a5 22. Nf3 Bd8 23. a4 Kc8 24. Rad1 Rh6 25. Nh2 Rh5 $11 {
Nakamura,H (2772)-Radjabov,T (2713)/Shamkir/2014/}) 10. Nc3 h5 $5 11. Bf4 (11.
Rd1 Be7 12. Ne2 Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. Be3 Be7 15. Rd2 h4 16. Rad1 Rh5 17. Bf4
a6 18. Nd4 c5 19. Ne2 Be6 20. Nc3 Rd8 21. Nd5 Rd7 $1 22. Nxe7 Rxd2 23. Rxd2
Kxe7 $11 {Caruana,F (2783)-Karjakin,S (2772)/Shamkir/2014/}) 11... Be7 12. Rad1
Be6 13. Ng5 Rh6 14. Rfe1 Bb4 (14... h4 15. Re4 Rd8 16. Rxd8+ Bxd8 17. Ra4 a6
18. Nce4 Bc8 19. Nf3 Rh8 20. Bg5 Bxg5 21. Nexg5 Ke7 22. Rf4 c5 23. Kh2 b6 24.
g4 hxg3+ 25. fxg3 Nh6 26. Re4 Bb7 $11 {Motylev,A (2685)-Bacrot,E (2722)/
Shamkir-B/2014/}) 15. g4 hxg4 16. hxg4 Ne7 17. Nxe6 Rxe6 18. Kg2 (18. Re3 Rg6
19. Rg3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rd8 21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. Kg2 c5 23. Bc1 Ra6 24. a3 Ra4 25.
f4 g6 26. Rd3+ Ke8 27. Kf3 b6 28. Rd1 Rc4 29. Bd2 Ra4 30. Bc1 Rc4 {1/2,
Dominguez Perez,L (2757)-Bacrot,E (2723)/Elancourt/2013/}) 18... Bxc3 19. bxc3
Rd8 20. Rxd8+ $146 (20. Rb1 b5 21. Kg3 Rd5 22. c4 Rc5 23. Re4 a6 24. Rb3 Ng6
25. Ra3 f6 $132 {Karjakin,S (2786)-Grischuk,A (2764)/Moscow rpd/2013/}) 20...
Kxd8 21. Rh1 Nd5 22. Bg3 g5 {Black prefers to hold the fortress.} (22... Nxc3
23. Rh7 Rg6 24. f4 Ke8 (24... Rxg4 25. Kf3 Rg6 26. f5 $44) 25. Kf3 Rh6 26. Rxg7
Kf8 27. Rg5 Rh1 $13 {is perhaps playable, but more risky.}) 23. c4 Nc3 24. Kf3
Rg6 25. a3 (25. Rh8+ $1 Kd7 26. Rf8 {is the only try to play for a win} {/\}
Rg7 27. e6+ $1 fxe6 (27... Kxe6 28. Re8+ Kd7 29. Rb8 b5 30. Rb7) 28. Be5 Rh7
29. Bf6 $14) 25... Na4 26. Ke4 Nc5+ 27. Kf5 Ne6 28. Rh8+ Kd7 29. c3 Ng7+ 30.
Ke4 Ne6 31. f3 c5 32. Bf2 a6 33. Be3 b6 {1/2, Anand,V (2770)-Karjakin,S (2766)/
Candidates Khanty-Mansiysk/2014/}) 4... Bc5 ({This position arose in the
Candidates tournament 5 times and every single game followed the current trend:
Black ignored the alternative} 4... d6 {and actively developed his bishop.
Round 7 featured 2 of these games.}) 5. c3 (5. O-O Nd4 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6
8. Na3 c6 9. Ba4 O-O 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 d5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. Bb3 g5 14. Bg3 Re8
15. Re1 Bc7 16. Nc2 Bg4 17. Qd2 d4 18. h3 Bf5 19. Ba4 Bd7 20. Bxd7 dxc3 21.
Qxc3 Nxd7 22. d4 Rc8 23. Qb3 Ba5 24. Re2 exd4 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Nxd4 Nc5 27.
Qf3 Qe4 28. Nf5 Qxf3 29. gxf3 Rd8 30. Nxh6+ Kg7 31. Nf5+ Kg6 $14 {/=, Topalov,
V (2785)-Andreikin,D (2709)/Candidates Khanty-Mansiysk/2014/ The extra pawn
gave White a slight edge, but was not enough to win the game.}) (5. Bxc6 dxc6
6. Be3 ({For} 6. h3 {and for more details about this line see the notes to
Carlsen-Caruana, Zurich 2014 in CBM 159.}) 6... Bxe3 ({In the notes to the
aforementioned game I stated that Black usually tends to retain the bishop
pair. Just as Caruana played in a similar position one move later, here the
most popular response is} 6... Bd6 $5 7. h3 Be6 8. Nbd2 h6 9. d4 exd4 10. Nxd4
Qe7 11. Qf3 O-O 12. O-O Rfe8 13. Rfe1 Rad8 14. c3 Bc8 15. Bf4 Bxf4 16. Qxf4 c5
17. N4f3 b6 18. Re3 Nh7 19. Nf1 Nf8 {1/2, Nepomniachtchi,I (2706)-Kramnik,V 
(2780)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/}) {However, Anand calmly proves Black's
position is fully viable even without the Bc5:} 7. fxe3 Qe7 (7... Bg4 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nd7 10. Qg3 Qf6 11. Nd2 Qg6 12. Qh4 Qf6 13. Qxf6 Nxf6 14. Rf1 Nd7
15. g4 a5 16. a4 f6 17. Rg1 h6 18. Ke2 Nf8 19. h4 Ne6 20. Nf3 c5 21. Rg3 Ke7
22. b3 b6 $11 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2656)-Ponomariov,R (2737)/RUS-chT Dagomys/
2010/}) 8. O-O O-O $146 (8... Ng4 9. Qd2 f6 10. Nh4 g6 11. Nc3 Bd7 12. Rf3 f5
13. g3 Nf6 14. exf5 g5 15. Ng2 e4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. dxe4 O-O-O 18. Qa5 (18. f6
$5 Qxe4 19. Rf2) 18... Qxe4 19. Qxa7 Bxf5 20. Raf1 Bh3 21. Qa8+ Kd7 22. Qa3 Kc8
23. Qa8+ Kd7 24. Rf7+ Ke8 25. Rf8+ Rxf8 26. Rxf8+ Kxf8 27. Qxd8+ Kf7 $11 {
Sutovsky,E (2655)-Carlsen,M (2714)/Heraklio/2007/}) 9. Qe1 Ne8 10. Qc3 f6 11.
b4 (11. Nbd2 c5 $11 {[%cal Yb7b6,Ye8d6]}) 11... Nd6 12. a4 Bd7 13. Nbd2 b6 14.
a5 Kh8 15. Ra2 Rab8 16. axb6 axb6 17. Qa1 Nb7 $1 18. Qc3 c5 19. bxc5 Nxc5 20.
Ra7 Rfc8 21. Rfa1 b5 $132 {=, Andreikin,D (2709)-Anand,V (2770)/
Khanty-Mansiysk Candidates/2014/}) (5. Nbd2 {also allows the simplifying} Nd4
6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 (7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O d5 $1 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. Bc4 Qd6 11. Qe1
Re8 12. Ng5 Re7 $11 13. Kh1 h6 14. Nxf7 $2 Rxf7 15. c3 Bb6 16. f4 Nd5 17. fxe5
Rxf1+ 18. Qxf1 Qxe5 19. Bf4 Qh5 $19 {Kotronias,V (2588)-Mastrovasilis,A (2537)/
Vrachati/2011/}) 7... Bb6 8. d4 Qe7 9. O-O O-O 10. a4 c6 11. Bd3 d5 $1 12. exd5
exd4 13. dxc6 dxc3 14. bxc3 Rd8 15. Ba3 Qc7 16. Qc2 bxc6 17. a5 Bxa5 18. Nc4 {
Motylev,A (2685)-Abasov,N (2516)/Shamkir/2014/} Be6 $1 19. Nxa5 Ng4 20. Bxh7+
Kh8 21. g3 Qxa5 $132) 5... O-O 6. O-O d6 (6... Re8 $5 {gained in popularity
due to the 6th Game of the Anand-Carlsen match (see the notes in CBM 158).
More currently it was played on the very same day in the Candidates:} 7. Nbd2
a6 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Nc4 Nd7 10. b4 Bd6 11. Qb3 Nf8 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. Be3 Ng6 14.
Nfd2 Bf8 15. d4 Qe7 16. dxe5 Be6 17. Qc2 Bxc4 18. Nxc4 Nxe5 19. Nd2 $6 a5 $1
$132 {/=/+,Karjakin,S (2766)-Aronian,L (2830)/Khanty-Mansiysk Candidates/2014/
For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 160.}) 7. Nbd2 Ne7 {
Completely sidesteps the possible swap on c6. This has lately become Black's
main move, replacing both} (7... Bb6 {(see the notes to the aforementioned
game Anand-Carlsen)}) ({and} 7... a6 {(mentioned briefly in the notes to
Navara-Caruana in CBM 157).}) 8. Re1 {The drawback of the knight transfer to
g6 is that White can expand in the centre. Although he will play d4 later on,
this won't be too effective. The immediate advance is played more often and
seems to offer more chances to fight for an edge. However, it had already
featured in Svidler's previous practice and hadn't brought him any advantage:}
(8. d4 exd4 9. cxd4 Bb6 10. b3 $5 (10. Re1 Bg4 (10... c6 11. Bd3 Bg4 12. Qc2
Ng6 13. h3 Bd7 14. Nf1 Rc8 15. Ng3 c5 16. d5 c4 17. Bf1 Re8 18. Bd2 Ne5 19.
Nxe5 dxe5 20. Bxc4 h5 21. Qb3 h4 22. Nf1 Nh5 23. Rac1 (23. Nh2 $142 $14) 23...
Qf6 24. Ne3 Nf4 $44 {Rodriguez Cespedes,A (2433)-Pijuan Herranz,M (2261)/
Catalunya-chT/2013/}) 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qb3 d5 13. e5 Nd7 14. a4 a5 15. Bd3 Re8
16. g4 Bg6 17. Bxg6 Nxg6 18. Nf1 Ndf8 19. Ng3 Ne6 20. Be3 Ngf4 21. h4 f6 $1
$132 {/=/+, Svidler,P (2747)-Karjakin,S (2786)/RUS-chT Loo/2013/}) (10. h3 d5
11. e5 Ne4 12. Bd3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Nc6 14. Rd1 (14. Nb3 f6 15. Be3 Qd7 (15... Qe7
$5 $15) 16. Rac1 a6 17. exf6 Rxf6 18. Ne5 Nxe5 (18... Qe8 $13) 19. dxe5 Rg6 20.
Kh2 Qe7 21. Bxb6 cxb6 22. Bxe4 Qxe5+ 23. f4 Qxe4 24. Qd2 Qd3 25. g4 {Svidler,P
(2752)-L'Ami,E (2648)/EU-chT Warsaw/2013/} Re8 $5 $11) 14... Bxd4 15. Nxe4 dxe4
16. Bxe4 Bxe4 17. Nxd4 Qd5 18. Nxc6 Qxc6 19. f3 Bd5 20. b3 a5 21. Ba3 Rfd8 22.
Rac1 Qb6+ 23. Kh1 Be6 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Rd1 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 h6 $11 {Andreikin,
D (2709)-Karjakin,S (2766)/Khanty-Mansiysk Candidates/2014/ This game was
played earlier in Round 3.}) (10. Bd3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Nb3 (12. Qb3 d5 13. e5
Nd7 14. Qc2 h6 15. b4 a5 16. bxa5 Rxa5 17. Bb2 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 c5 19. Bc3 Ra8 20.
e6 $6 (20. dxc5 $142 Nxc5 21. Rab1) 20... fxe6 21. Qe2 Rf7 22. Qxe6 Nf8 23. Qe2
c4 $15 {Durarbayli,V (2584)-Bacrot,E (2722)/Shamkir-B/2014/}) 12... d5 13. e5
Ne4 14. Qc2 Nc6 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Nxd4 18. Qxb7 Nxb3 19.
axb3 Qd3 20. Qf3 Rad8 21. Ra3 Qxf3 22. gxf3 f6 23. exf6 Rxf6 $11 {/=/+,
Vallejo Pons,F (2697)-Karjakin,S (2778)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/}) 10... d5 $1 ({
Black should stake his claim in the centre.} 10... a6 {is too passive:} 11. Bd3
Ng6 12. Re1 Bg4 13. Bb2 Re8 14. Nc4 Ba7 15. h3 Bd7 16. e5 b5 17. Ne3 dxe5 18.
dxe5 Nh5 19. Be4 $16 {Vokarev,S (2454)-Kokarev,V (2062)/Pavlodar/2012/}) 11. e5
Ne4 12. Bd3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Nc6 14. Bb2 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 Be4 16. Be2 $5 (16. Qe3 Bxf3
17. Qxf3 Bxd4 18. Bxd4 Nxd4 19. Bxh7+ Kxh7 20. Qd3+ Kg8 21. Qxd4 $11) 16... f6
17. b4 fxe5 18. dxe5 Kh8 $6 (18... h6 19. b5 Na5 $132) (18... d4 $5 $13) 19. b5
Ne7 20. Ng5 Ng6 21. g3 Qe7 22. e6 Rf5 23. Nxe4 dxe4 24. Qd7 Raf8 25. Qxe7 Nxe7
26. Ba3 Re8 27. Rad1 $36 {Caruana,F (2775)-Kramnik,V (2799)/Dortmund/2012/ For
more details see Caruana's notes to this game in CBM 150.}) 8... c6 (8... a6 9.
Ba4 Ba7 10. Nf1 Ng6 11. h3 b5 12. Bc2 Bb7 13. Ng3 Re8 14. d4 d5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 (
15... Nxe4 16. Nxg6 {1/2, Areshchenko,A (2691)-Ponomariov,R (2726)/Kiev/2012/}
hxg6 17. Nxe4 dxe4 $132) 16. dxe5 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Qxd8 Raxd8 19. Bf4 e3
20. Bxe3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Rd2 22. Rc1 Kf8 (22... c5 $5 23. Kf1 f6 {/\} 24. Ke1
Rdd8 25. exf6 Bxg2 $11) 23. Kf1 (23. b4 $5 $14 {[%cal Yc2b3]}) 23... Ke7 24.
Ke1 Red8 25. g4 g5 26. b4 h6 27. Bb3 $14 {Movsesian,S (2699)-Hammer,J (2605)/
WCup Tromsoe/2013/}) 9. Ba4 Bb6 {In this concrete position a new move,
although later we will transpose back into a known position.} (9... Ng6 10. Nf1
d5 $5 11. exd5 cxd5 12. Ng3 (12. Nxe5 $142 Bxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Nxe5 14. Kg1 $13)
12... Qb6 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Bg4 15. f3 Bd7 16. Bc2 Rfe8 17. Rf1 Ne5 18. b3
Nc6 19. Bb2 Nxd4 (19... a5 $5 $36) 20. cxd4 Bd6 21. Nf5 Bf4 22. Kh1 g6 23. g3
Bxf5 24. Bxf5 Bh6 25. Bd3 Rac8 $11 {[%cal Gc8c1,Ge8e1] /=/+, Duda,J (2557)
-Sargissian,G (2675)/EU-ch blitz Warsaw/2013/}) 10. d4 {The central thrust,
which has been mentioned already in the note to move 8.} ({More restrained
moves promise little:} 10. Bc2 Ng6 11. h3 Re8 {and now} 12. d4 {once again
transposes into a line, which we will look at in more detail in the note to
Black's 11th move.} (12. Nf1 d5 $11)) (10. Nc4 Bc7 11. Bb3 (11. Bc2 Ng6 12. h3
Re8 $11 {[%cal Yd6d5]}) 11... b5 $5 (11... Ng6 $11) 12. Ne3 d5 $132) 10... Ng6
11. h3 {Standard prophylaxis and morevoer a theoretical move, but Anand's
astute reaction will pinpoint its drawbacks.} (11. Nc4 Bc7 12. Bc2 exd4 13.
Qxd4 (13. cxd4 d5 $11 (13... Re8 $5 $13)) 13... h6 $5 $11 (13... d5 14. exd5
Qxd5 15. Bg5 $32)) 11... exd4 $1 $146 {[%mdl 40] A strong novelty, which in
connection with Black's next moves demonstrates an effective strategy of
blockading and undermining White's centre.} ({Anand's choice is more
enterprising, than the previously played} 11... Re8 12. Bc2 Bc7 (12... h6 13.
a4 Bc7 14. Nf1 Nh7 15. Ng3 Ng5 16. dxe5 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Rxe5 18. Be3 Bb6 19.
Rad1 Be6 20. Qe2 h5 21. Bxb6 {1/2, Kobalia,M (2637)-Alekseev,E (2700)/RUS-chT
Dagomys/2010/} Qxb6 22. Rxd6 h4 $13) 13. Nf1 d5 $5 14. Bg5 (14. exd5 e4 15. d6
Qxd6 16. N3d2 Bf5 17. Nc4 Qd7 18. Bg5 Nd5 19. Ng3 Be6 20. Bxe4 Nxc3 21. bxc3
Bxc4 22. Qf3 Qd6 23. a4 Bd5 24. Bd2 Nf8 25. Rab1 b6 $11 {Robson,R (2628)
-Dominguez Perez,L (2757)/St Louis rpd m/2014/}) 14... exd4 (14... dxe4 15.
Rxe4 $1 h6 (15... Bf5 16. Re3 Bxc2 17. Qxc2 h6 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Rae1 $14) 16.
Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Ng3 Rd8 18. Qe1 exd4 19. Nh5 Qd6 20. Rxd4 Qf8 21. Rxd8 Qxd8 22.
Rd1 Qf8 23. Rd2 c5 24. Re2 Bd7 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Nxg7 $1 $16 {Gopal,G (2553)
-Mamyrbay,A (2017)/Sharjah/2014/}) 15. cxd4 dxe4 16. Bxe4 h6 (16... Qd6 $11)
17. Qb3 hxg5 18. Bxg6 Nd5 (18... Qd5 $5 19. Rxe8+ Nxe8 20. Qxd5 cxd5 21. Bd3 g4
$11) 19. Rxe8+ Qxe8 20. Re1 Qd8 21. Bc2 g4 22. hxg4 Bxg4 23. Ne5 Bxe5 24. Rxe5
Qb6 25. Qd3 $14 {Bok,B (2540)-Michalik,P (2577)/Groningen/2013/}) 12. cxd4 {
A natural recapture.} (12. Nxd4 Re8 13. Bc2 d5 $11 {poses Black no problems
whatsoever, but perhaps White should have preferred this modest line...}) 12...
d5 $1 13. e5 $6 {Again very natural, but after this move it seems that already
White is fighting for equality!} (13. exd5 $5 {is playable, but certainly not
in White's intentions:} Nxd5 (13... cxd5 $11) 14. Nc4 Bc7 15. Bc2 Re8 $132)
13... Nh5 {[%cal Yh5f4] Contrary to the similar positions from the 8.d4 line,
here Black doesn't have the active move to e4. However, his move is effective
as well, the knight heads for the f4 outpost. Due to 11.h3 White can't prevent
this or subsequently chase the knight away with g3.} 14. Nf1 (14. Bc2 Nhf4 15.
Nb3 (15. Nf1 {-14.Nf1}) 15... f6 $1 {is also fine for Black, e.g.} 16. Bxg6
Nxg6 17. exf6 Qxf6 18. Bg5 Qf7 $11 {/=/+}) 14... Nhf4 (14... f6 15. e6 Re8 16.
g3 $5 {[%csl Rh5]} Rxe6 17. Rxe6 Bxe6 18. Ne1 Nxg3 19. Nxg3 $13) 15. Bc2 ({
Houdini recommends} 15. Bxf4 Nxf4 16. Qd2 {This chases the knight from f4, but}
Ne6 17. Bc2 f6 $13 {[%csl Gb6,Gc8,Rd4] /=/+ certainly looks OK for Black.})
15... f6 16. Ng3 (16. exf6 Qxf6 $15) (16. N1h2 fxe5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Rxe5 Qf6
$36 {[%cal Rb6d4,Rf4e2]}) 16... fxe5 17. Bxg6 (17. Nxe5 $142 $1 Nxe5 18. Rxe5
Qf6 $15 (18... Qh4 19. Be3 {/\} Bc7 20. Nf5 $1 Bxf5 21. Rxf5 $11)) 17... Nxg6
18. Bg5 (18. Nxe5 Qf6 19. Nf3 Nh4 20. Nxh4 Qxh4 21. Be3 Bc7 $40) 18... Qc7 19.
Nxe5 $6 (19. dxe5 Nxe5 (19... Re8 $5 $15) 20. Rxe5 (20. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 21. Kh2 Bxe1
22. Qxe1 Bxh3 $1 $17 {[%cal Ra8e8]}) 20... Rxf3 (20... Bxf2+ 21. Kxf2 Qxe5 22.
Qd2 h6 23. Be3 $15) 21. Re7 (21. Re8+ Rf8 $17) 21... Bxf2+ (21... Rxf2 $2 22.
Rxc7 Rd2+ 23. Kh2 Rxd1 24. Rxc8+) 22. Kh1 Qxg3 23. Qxf3 Qxf3 24. gxf3 Bd4 $15 {
/<=>}) 19... Nxe5 20. Rxe5 h6 $6 {By playing it safe Anand misses a very good
chance.} (20... Rxf2 21. Re8+ Rf8 22. Rxf8+ Kxf8 23. Kh2 (23. Qh5 Bxd4+ 24. Kh2
g6 25. Qh4 (25. Qf3+ Kg8 26. Re1 Qf7 $19)) 23... Kg8 $17 {gives Black a
healthy extra pawn, which he should gradually convert.}) 21. Bh4 $1 (21. Be3
Qf7 {[%csl Re5][%cal Yb6c7]}) (21. Re7 $2 Qd6 22. Nh5 (22. Bh4 g5 $19) 22...
hxg5 23. Rxg7+ Kh8 24. Qd2 (24. Rxg5 Bf5 25. Ng3 Bh7 $19) 24... Bd8 25. Re1 Rg8
26. Rxg8+ Kxg8 27. Re8+ Kf7 $17 {/-+}) 21... Qf7 (21... g5 22. Bxg5 hxg5 23.
Rxg5+ Kh8 24. Rh5+ Kg7 25. Qd3 Kg8 (25... Rh8 26. Rg5+ Kf8 27. Re1 $36 {
[%cal Rd3g6]}) 26. Rg5+ $11) (21... Rxf2 $6 22. Re7 Qd6 (22... Qf4 $2 23. Re8+
Kh7 (23... Kf7 24. Qh5+ $18) 24. Qb1+ Bf5 25. Nxf5 $18) 23. Kxf2 Qf4+ 24. Qf3
Bxd4+ 25. Kf1 (25. Ke2 Qxh4 26. Re8+ Kh7 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Qf5+ g6 29. Qxc8
Qxg3 30. Qxb7+ Kg8 31. Qc8+ $11) 25... Qxf3+ 26. gxf3 g5 27. Re8+ Kf7 28. Rxc8
Rxc8 29. Ne2 $14) 22. Nh5 $1 {[%mdl 256] Svidler defends tenaciously.} (22. Qd2
Qf4 $1 $19 {[%csl Rd4,Rh4]}) (22. Ne2 g5 23. Bg3 Bc7 24. Qe1 (24. Re3 Bxg3 25.
Rxg3 Qxf2+ 26. Kh2 Bd7 $17 {[%cal Ya8e8] /+-}) 24... Bxe5 25. Bxe5 Bf5 $17)
22... Be6 ({Although objectively Black is still fully OK after} 22... g5 {
the piece sacrifice gives White serious tactical counterchances and the risk
here is greater than after the restrained text move:} 23. Bxg5 $5 (23. Bg3 Bf5
$36 {[%csl Rh5]}) 23... Qxf2+ (23... hxg5 24. Rxg5+ Kh7 (24... Kh8 25. Nf6 $1
$18 {[%cal Rg5h5,Rh5h7]}) 25. Rg7+ Qxg7 26. Nxg7 Kxg7 27. Qd2 ({or} 27. Qh5 $11
{and Black's exposed king guarantees White at least a perpetual.})) 24. Kh1 (
24. Kh2 $143 {exposes White's king and doesn't give him sufficient
compensation after} hxg5 25. Rxg5+ Kf7 {/\} 26. Rg7+ (26. Qd3 Ke8 $17) 26...
Ke8 27. Qd3 Kd8 $1 28. Qg6 Bc7+ $1 29. Kh1 Qf1+ 30. Rxf1 Rxf1#) 24... hxg5 25.
Rxg5+ Kf7 26. Rg7+ Ke8 27. Qd3 Rf5 (27... Rf7 28. Qg6 Bxh3 29. Nf4 Bxg2+ 30.
Nxg2 Bxd4 31. Re1+ Qxe1+ 32. Nxe1 Bxg7 33. Nf3 Rd8 (33... Kf8 34. Ng5 Re7 35.
Nh7+ $11) 34. Ng5 Rdd7 35. Nxf7 Rxf7 36. Qe6+ Re7 $11 {/=/+}) (27... Bf5 28.
Qa3 Qh4 (28... Qe2 $2 29. Nf4 Qe4 30. Qg3 {[%cal Ra1e1]} Ba5 31. Nh5 $1 $18 {
[%cal Rg3d6,Rg7b7]}) (28... c5 29. dxc5 (29. Rxb7 $5) 29... Bxc5 30. Qb3 $44)
29. Rf1 $44) (27... Kd8 28. Qg6 {[%cal Rg6d6,Rg6g5]} Bxh3 $8 29. gxh3 Qf3+ 30.
Kh2 Bc7+ 31. Ng3 Qf2+ 32. Kh1 Bxg3 33. Qxg3 Qxg3 34. Rxg3 Kc7 35. Re1 Rf7 $11 {
/=/+}) 28. Ng3 Qxd4 (28... Kf8 29. Rg4 Rf7 30. Rf1 Qxf1+ 31. Nxf1 Bxg4 32. hxg4
Re8 33. Ne3 $11) 29. Rg8+ Kf7 30. Qxd4 Bxd4 31. Nxf5 Kxg8 32. Nxd4 c5 33. Nf3
$11 {/=/+}) 23. Re3 Bd8 (23... g5 24. Bg3 Bd7 $5 {[%cal Yd7e8] was the last
try to squeeze more out of the position, but this is already unclear after} 25.
a4 $1 {/\} Be8 26. a5 Bd8 27. Qe1 $1 Qxh5 28. Bd6 Qf7 29. Bxf8 Kxf8 30. Raa3 $1
$44) 24. Rf3 $1 $11 (24. Bg3 $143 Bg5 $36) 24... Qxf3 {The queen sacrifice
gives Black a solid position he can never lose, but unfortunately he can't
make any progress either, as White defends all his weaknesses.} (24... Bf5 25.
Ng3 $11) (24... Qe8 25. Bxd8 Rxd8 26. Re3 Qf7 27. Rf3 $11) 25. gxf3 Bxh4 26.
Kg2 Rf7 27. Rc1 Raf8 28. Rc3 {After a series of natural moves both sides find
it difficult to improve their positions.} Bg5 29. Ng3 Re7 (29... Rf4 30. Ne2
Rh4 31. f4 Bxf4 32. Nxf4 Rhxf4 33. Qd2 $11) 30. b4 (30. Ne2 $5 $11 {[%cal
Yf3f4]}) 30... a6 31. a4 Bd7 32. Qb3 Kh8 33. b5 cxb5 34. axb5 Bxb5 35. Qxd5 Rd7
36. Qe4 (36. Qc5 Be7 $11 (36... Rfd8 37. Ne4 Be7 $11)) 36... Bc6 37. Rxc6 (37.
Qg4 Rfd8 {can be dangerous only for White, so Svidler resolves the remaining
tension.}) 37... bxc6 38. Qxc6 Rxd4 (38... Rxd4 39. Qxa6 Rdf4 40. Qd3 Rxf3 $11)
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:05] Without a doubt this was a letdown for the
spectators. Aronian quickly went pawn hunting in a very strange opening but as
a result of this his position was completely tied down. Anand didn't have any
good break-through plans but he probably wasn't worried about any plans that
Aronian might have as the Armenian lacked space. An unusual repetition ensued
on move 15 and the game was drawn.} (3. d4 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Nc3 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7.
g4 Bg6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Ne5 Bb4 10. Bd2 Nd7 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. a3 Ba5 13. Bg2 g5
14. Qc2 Rc8 15. Rd1 Bc7 16. Ne2 Nf8 17. Qb3 Rb8 18. e4 Nf4 19. Bxf4 Bxf4 20. h4
e5 21. d5 Ng6 22. dxc6 Qa5+ 23. Nc3 O-O 24. cxb7 Qc7 25. Nd5 Qxb7 26. Qxb7 Rxb7
27. b4 gxh4 28. Bf1 Bg5 29. Rh3 Rd8 30. Bc4 Rbb8 31. Rhd3 Rdc8 32. Bb3 Rb7 {
Caruana,F (2782)-Anand,V (2773) Zuerich 2014 1/2-1/2}) 3... d4 $146 {[%emt 0:
05:06]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} c5 {[%emt 0:03:45]} 5. Qb5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6
{[%emt 0:00:12]} 6. Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 7. Qb5 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} a6 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 8. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:05:07]} 9. d3
{[%emt 0:02:14]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:06:01]} 10. e4 {[%emt 0:01:28]} O-O {[%emt 0:02:
34]} 11. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bb4+ {[%emt 0:04:22]} 12. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:12:10]}
a5 {[%emt 0:01:44]} 13. O-O {[%emt 0:09:15]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:02:35]} 14. Qd1 {
[%emt 0:05:19]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:02:39]} 15. Ne1 {[%emt 0:05:12]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:
06]} 16. Nb3 {[%emt 0:03:36]} Na6 {[%emt 0:02:41]} 17. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Nc5
{[%emt 0:00:11]} 18. Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Na6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 19. Nd2 {
[%emt 0:02:39]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c6 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} a6
{[%emt 0:00:03]} 5. g3 {[%emt 0:00:17]} b5 {[%emt 0:22:03]} 6. b3 {[%emt 0:04:
50]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:05:56] Andreikin's treatment of the opening was ultra-solid.
His a6 Slav locked up the position quickly, but it made him very passive.
White's control of the c-file and his two bishops was simply not enough for
him to break through as Black lacked weaknesses while White had to contend
with his weak f3 and d4 pawns. Eventually Kramnik sacrificed one of these for
some activity, but it was only enough for a draw.} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Ne4
{[%emt 0:01:39]} 8. Nxe4 $146 {[%emt 0:03:21]} (8. Bd2 Nxc3 9. Bxc3 Be4 10. Qd2
e6 11. Ba5 Qd6 12. O-O Nd7 13. cxd5 Qxd5 14. Nh4 Bxg2 15. Nxg2 c5 16. Rad1 cxd4
17. Nf4 Qe4 18. Qxd4 Qxd4 19. Rxd4 Bc5 20. Rd2 Nf6 21. Nd3 Bd6 22. Rc1 O-O 23.
Rc6 Be7 24. Rdc2 h6 25. f3 Rfb8 26. e4 Bd8 27. Bd2 Bb6+ 28. Kf1 Kh7 29. Ke2 Kg8
30. g4 Nd7 31. h4 Bd8 32. Bf4 e5 33. Bxe5 Rb7 34. Rc8 Rxc8 35. Rxc8 {1-0 (35)
Sokolov,I (2657)-Simonian,H (2475) Cento 2011}) 8... Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 9.
O-O {[%emt 0:00:25]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:03:15]} 10. Ba3 {[%emt 0:14:45]} g6 {[%emt 0:
08:08]} 11. cxd5 {[%emt 0:10:54]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:01:12]} 12. Qd2 {[%emt 0:05:30]
} Bg7 {[%emt 0:11:18]} 13. Rac1 {[%emt 0:01:15]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:16]} 14. Bh3 {
[%emt 0:01:12]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:07:34]} 15. exf3 {[%emt 0:09:29]} Re8 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 16. Rc6 {[%emt 0:06:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 17. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:01:43]}
Qf6 {[%emt 0:04:07]} 18. Rc7 {[%emt 0:02:55]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:03:34]} 19. Bc5 {
[%emt 0:05:38]} Qxf3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 20. Rc3 {[%emt 0:03:21]} Qh5 {[%emt 0:07:
15]} 21. g4 {[%emt 0:03:57]} Qh4 {[%emt 0:05:31]} 22. Qf4 {[%emt 0:07:50]} f6 {
[%emt 0:05:22]} 23. Be7 {[%emt 0:04:58]} Qg5 {[%emt 0:07:01]} 24. Qg3 {[%emt 0:
06:05]} Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 25. g5 {[%emt 0:05:13]} Qxg5 {[%emt 0:04:19]} 26.
Qxg5 {[%emt 0:01:11]} fxg5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 27. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:03:41]} Bxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:33]} 28. R3c6 {[%emt 0:00:50]} a5 {[%emt 0:04:14]} 29. Bh6 {[%emt 0:
02:08]} b4 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 30. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:42]} a4 {[%emt 0:03:32]} 31.
bxa4 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Rxa4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 32. Bxf8 {[%emt 0:03:55]} Rxf8 {
[%emt 0:02:33]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Motylev,A"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 c5 (5... O-O 6. Nbd2 c5 7. e4
Nc6 8. Re1 b5 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nf1 b4 11. h4 a5 12. Bf4 a4 13. a3 bxa3 14. bxa3
Ba6 15. Ne3 Rb8 16. c4 dxc4 17. Nxc4 Nb6 18. Nd6 Nd5 19. Qxa4 Rb6 20. Rac1 Nxf4
21. Qxf4 Nxe5 22. Nxe5 Bxd6 23. Qe3 Rb3 24. a4 Qc7 25. Nc4 Be7 26. Ne5 Bd6 27.
Nc4 Be7 28. Ne5 {1/2 (28) Svidler,P (2756)-Karjakin,S (2772) Loo RUS 2014}) 6.
e4 $5 {Peter Svidler's team had managed to discover an error in the move order
chosen by Sergey! A more accurate move is 5...0-0, as he later played against
Svidler (see above); withut castling the advance 6.e4!? is simply possible.
Der Brigade von Peter Svidler war es gelungen, einen Fehler in der von Sergey
gewдhlten Zugfolge aufzudecken! Genauer ist eben 5...0-0, wie er danach gegen
Svidler spielte (s.o.); denn ohne Rochade ist der VorstoЯ 6.e4!? halt mцglich.}
Nc6 ({Accepting the pawn sacrifice is risky, since after Die Annahme des
Bauernopfers ist riskant, denn nach} 6... dxe4 7. dxe4 Qxd1 8. Rxd1 Nxe4 9. Ne5
Nd6 10. Na3 f6 11. Nec4 Nxc4 12. Nxc4 {White would have a decent initiative.
hдtte WeiЯ eine ordentliche Initiative.}) 7. Qe2 O-O ({Interessant war} 7... b5
$5 {was intereting, but afterwards one had to reckon with the interesting
possibility of aber darauf musste man mit der interessanten Mцglichkeit} 8.
exd5 exd5 9. d4 $5 {with sharp play. mit scharfem Spiel rechnen.}) 8. e5 Nd7 9.
c4 d4 10. h4 $5 {One has the impression that White has obtained the maximum
from the system he has chosen. There is no knight on d2 under his feet and he
can calmly go about developing an initiative on the kingside. After a longish
period of thought Black finds an interesting plan. Man hat den Eindruck, dass
WeiЯ das Maximum aus dem von ihm gewдhlten System herausgeholt hat. Ihm steht
kein Springer auf d2 auf den FьЯen herum und er kann in Ruhe die Initiative am
Kцnigsflьgel entfalten. Nach lдngerem Nachdenken findet Schwarz einen
interessanten Plan.} Kh8 11. Bf4 f5 $5 ({After Auf} 11... f6 $6 {with the same
idea White did not have to react: mit derselben Idee brauchte WeiЯ nicht zu
reagieren:} 12. Nbd2 fxe5 13. Nxe5 Ndxe5 14. Bxe5 Nxe5 15. Qxe5 $14) 12. Ng5 $1
({Fragwьrdig wдre} 12. exf6 $6 {would be dubious on account of wegen} gxf6 $1 {
and und} 13. Qxe6 $2 {then fails to scheitert dann an} Nde5) 12... Bxg5 ({
In the event of Im Falle von} 12... Ndb8 {White could continue with kцnnte
WeiЯ mit} 13. Qh5 {nachsetzen.}) 13. hxg5 Qc7 ({The immediate Mцglich war auch
das unverzьgliche} 13... Ne7 $5 {was also possible so as to transfer the
knight to g6. White is then slightly better, but Black's defensive reserves
are up to the task. Sergey obviously did not like that he would have given up
the control of the b4-square. um den Springer nach g6 zu ьberfьhren. WeiЯ
steht dann ein bisschen besser, aber die schwarzen Verteidigungsreserven
reichen aus. Sergey gefiel dann offensichtlich nicht, dass er die Kontrolle
ьber den Punkt b4 aufgegeben hдtte.}) 14. g6 $5 {An interesting positional
pawn sacrifice. Ein interessantes positionelles Bauernopfer.} ({After Auf} 14.
Nd2 {both 14...Ne7 and war auЯer 14...Ne7 auch} Kg8 {were possible, which,
after mцglich, was nach} 15. g6 hxg6 {, would have led to the text. zum Text
gefьhrt hдtte.}) 14... hxg6 15. Nd2 Kg8 16. Nf3 Re8 $1 {Black has to hurry
with the regrouping of hs knights, or else he will simply get mated on the
h-file. Schwarz muss sich mit der Umgruppierung der Springer beeilen, denn
anderenfalls wird er schlicht und einfach auf der h-Linie mattgesetzt.} 17. Ng5
Nf8 (17... Nd8 18. g4 $1) 18. g4 $1 Nd8 19. Kh2 $6 ({In my opinion, the
immediate Meiner Meinung nach war sofort} 19. gxf5 $1 {was stronger and would
have left Black facing a decision which was anything but simple: stдrker, was
Schwarz vor eine nicht einfache Wahl gestellt hдtte:} gxf5 ({after auf} 19...
exf5 {White plays spielt WeiЯ} 20. Bd5+ {and then puts the king on g2 or even
plays Bf4-d2 followed by f2-f4 and in both cases looks to have a hefty
advantage..  und stellt dann den Kцnig nach g2 oder spielt sogar Bf4-d2
gefolgt von f2-f4 und sein Vorteil sieht in beiden Fдllen gewichtig aus.}) 20.
Kh2 Nf7 21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. Bf3 {and White is slightly better. und WeiЯ steht
etwas besser.}) 19... Bd7 $1 20. gxf5 exf5 21. Bd5+ Nde6 22. Rg1 Bc6 23. Qf3 $1
Rad8 24. Rae1 Qd7 25. Bxe6+ $2 ({Logically, a draw would have followed Zu
einem logischen Remis hдtte} 25. Nxe6 {: gefьhrt:} Nxe6 ({Peter had feared the
positional exchange sacrifice Peter hatte das positionelle Qualitдtsopfer} 
25... Rxe6 $5 26. Bxe6+ Nxe6 27. Qg3 {- which in fact looks terrible for White,
but on account of the hanging pawn on g6 the black king cannot free the way
for his rook to get to h8 and White exploits the time to entrench himself
sufficiently beginning with f2-f3. Black then has compensation for the
exchange, but it should not sufficefor more than equality. befьrchtet - das
sieht in der Tat furchtbar fьr WeiЯ aus, aber wegen des hдngenden Bauern g6
kann der schwarze Kцnig seinem Turm nicht den Weg nach h8 ebnen und WeiЯ nutzt
die Zeit, sich beginnend mit f2-f3 hinreichend zu verschanzen. Schwarz hat
dann Kompensation fьr die Qualitдt, aber sie dьrfte nicht zu mehr reichen als
zum Ausgleich.}) 26. Rxg6 Bxd5 27. cxd5 Qxd5 28. Qh5 Rd7 ({schlecht ist} 28...
Nxf4 $2 {is bad:} 29. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 30. Rg1+) 29. Rh6 $5 {and here und hier
fьhrt} gxh6 ({and also the pretty aber auch das hьbsche} 29... Qg2+ $5 30. Kxg2
Nxf4+ 31. Kg3 Nxh5+ 32. Rxh5 g6 33. Rh6 Re6 $11) 30. Qxe8+ Kh7 31. Bxh6 $1 Ng7
$1 32. Bxg7 Rxg7 33. Qh5+ $11 {leads to equality. zum Ausgleich.}) 25... Nxe6
26. Qg3 ({Actually Peter had here been long planning Peter hatte hier von
weitem eigentlich} 26. Qh3 $6 Nxg5 27. Bxg5 Rc8 28. Bf6 {geplant} ({A better
move is besser ist} 28. f3 {and a draw remains the most likely outcome of this
game und ein Remis bleibt der wahrscheinlichste Ausgang dieser Partie}) {
, but after , aber nach} 28... Qf7 $1 29. Rg3 {the winning move is there for
Black: findet sich fьr Schwarz der Gewinnzug} f4 $1) 26... Rc8 27. Nh3 ({
White had a fantastic variation at his disposal here: WeiЯ stand hier eine
phantastische Variante zu Gebote:} 27. Qh4 Nxg5 28. Rxg5 Kf7 ({In the event of
im Falle von} 28... Re6 29. Reg1 {it is hard for Black to reorganise his
position, since fдllt Schwarz der Umbau der Stellung schwer, denn} Kf7 $4 {
fails to scheitert an} 30. Qh7 $18) 29. Rxg6 $3 Kxg6 (29... Rh8 $2 30. Bh6 $1 {
and White wins und WeiЯ gewinnt}) 30. Rg1+ Kf7 31. Qh7 $1 Rg8 32. Rg6 $1 {
with a draw after mit Remis nach} Qe6 (32... Qe8 33. Qh5 Rh8 34. Rh6+ Ke7 35.
Qg5+ Kf7 36. Qh5+ $11) 33. Rxe6 Rh8 34. Rf6+ Ke7 35. Rh6 Rxh7 36. Rxh7 $11)
27... Qf7 28. Qh4 $6 ({Here Peter forgot about the f3-square. There was a
better move: Peter vergaЯ hier das Feld f3. Besser war} 28. Ng5 Nxg5 29. Qxg5
Re6 30. Rg3 Qe8 31. Qh4 Kf7 32. Rh3 {with reasonable chances for a successful
defence. mit keinen schlechten Chancen auf eine erfolgreiche Verteidigung.})
28... Bf3 $1 {From here on Black need have no further worries about the
security of his king.  Von hier an muss sich Schwarz um die Sicherheit seines
Kцnigs keine Sorgen mehr machen.} 29. Bd2 Bg4 30. Rg3 Qe7 $2 {There was
absolutely no need to go in for this exchange. Because the black bishop is
reliably shoring up the kingside. After Zu diesem Tausch bestand absolut keine
Notwendigkeit.  Denn der schwarze Lдufer betoniert den Kцnigsflьgel doch
zuverlдssig. Nach} (30... Qd7 {or even oder sogar}) (30... Rc6 {and then ...
Qc7 Black's position is almost a technical win. nebst ...Qc7 ist die schwarze
Stellung technisch fast gewonnen.}) 31. Qxe7 $1 {Of course! The exchange of
queens again brings White closer to a draw. Natьrlich! Der Damentausch bringt
WeiЯ dem Remis wieder nдher.} Rxe7 32. Ng5 Nxg5 33. Bxg5 Re6 34. f3 Bh5 35. b3
({It was worth considering the immediate In Betracht kam das unverzьgliche} 35.
Rh3 {Black could here have seized the chance to advance his f-pawn, since this
option might never have been on offer in the later course of the game: Schwarz
hдtte bereits hier die Chance ergreifen kцnnen, seinen f-Bauern vorzustoЯen,
denn diese Mцglichkeit hдtte sich im weiteren Verlauf nicht mehr bieten kцnnen:
} Ra6 36. Ra1 $1 Re8 37. Bf4 Ree6 38. Kg3 Reb6 39. Rh2 {and White successfully
defends his weaknesses step by step. und WeiЯ verteidigt Schritt fьr Schritt
mit Erfolg seine Schwдchen.} Kf7) {It was worth considering the immediate In
Betracht kam das unverzьgliche} 35... Kf7 {Black could here have seized the
chance to advance his f-pawn, since this option might never have been on offer
in the later course of the game: Schwarz hдtte bereits hier die Chance
ergreifen kцnnen, seinen f-Bauern vorzustoЯen, denn diese Mцglichkeit hдtte
sich im weiteren Verlauf nicht mehr bieten kцnnen:} (35... f4 $5 36. Rh3 (36.
Bxf4 Rf8 37. Re4 g5 38. Bxg5 Rxf3 39. Rxf3 Bxf3 40. Re1 Bh5 41. Bf4 Kf7 $15)
36... Rf8 37. Re4 Rf5 38. Bxf4 Bxf3 39. Rxf3 g5 $15) 36. Rh3 Rce8 37. Bf4 Ra6
38. Re2 Ke6 39. Kg3 Rb8 40. Bg5 $2 {On the final move before the time control
White goes wrong. Im letzten Zug vor der Zeitkontrolle greift WeiЯ fehl.} ({
If he had come up with something like Wenn er mit etwa} 40. Rh1 {on the spot,
it would have been hard to suggest a winning plan for Black. auf der Stelle
getreten wдre, hдtte man Schwarz schwerlich einen Gewinnplan vorschlagen
kцnnen.}) 40... f4+ $1 {This opens a new chapter in this battle, which would
no longer have been am option after Kf4.  Damit wird ein neues Kapitel dieses
Kampfes erцffnet, wovon nach Kf4 nicht mehr die Rede hдtte sein kцnnen.} 41.
Bxf4 Rf8 42. Rf2 Rf5 43. Bc1 ({White wuld sooner or later have had to give up
the e5-pawn, for example: Vom Bauern e5 hдtte sich WeiЯ frьher oder spдter
sowieso trennen mьssen, zum Beispiel:} 43. Rh1 Rc6 44. Re1 Rc7 45. Bd2 Rcf7 46.
Ref1 g5) (43. Rhh2 Rc6) 43... Rxe5 44. Rh1 ({Besser sah} 44. Rh4 Kd7 45. Re4
$15 {looked better aus}) 44... Kf7 45. Bf4 Rf5 46. Bb8 $6 ({He would have been
better sticking to passive defence with Er hдtte sich lieber mit} 46. Rhf1 g5
47. Bc1 {even if the d3-pawn is weak. an eine passive Verteidigung halten
sollen, auch wenn der Bauer d3 schwach ist.} Raf6 {etc. usw.}) 46... Re6 $1 47.
Rh4 Re3 48. Rf4 a6 49. Bd6 $6 ({There was the stronger move Stдrker war} 49.
Ba7 $1 Ke6 50. b4 $17) 49... Rxf4 $2 ({Here Hier hдtte} 49... Ke6 $1 50. Rxf5 (
50. Bf8 b6 51. Bxg7 g5) 50... gxf5 51. Bxc5 Ke5 $19 {would have led to a
simple win for Black. zu einem einfachen Sieg fьr Schwarz gefьhrt.}) 50. Kxf4
Kf6 $17 51. Bxc5 g5+ 52. Kg3 Rxd3 53. Kg2 Be8 ({After Nach} 53... Kf5 {White
would have played a waiting move hдtte WeiЯ mit} 54. Bb6 {and whether
abgewartet und ob dann} g4 (54... Be8 55. Kf1 $1) 55. fxg4+ Kxg4 {would then
have sufficed for Black to win is not clear. fьr Schwarz zum Sieg ausgereicht
hдtte, ist nicht klar.}) 54. Kf1 $1 Bh5 55. Ke2 $5 Re3+ 56. Kd2 Ke5 57. Rg2 ({
Here White could have played Hier konnte WeiЯ mit} 57. Re2 $5 {to go into a
pure opposite coloured bishops endgame: in ein reines Endspiel mit
ungleichfarbigen Lдufern ьbergehen:} Rxe2+ 58. Kxe2 g4 59. fxg4 Bxg4+ 60. Kd2 {
. Without the pawns on the a-, b- and c-files it would be a draw. The presence
of these pawns increases Black's chances, but it is hard to say whether there
is enough there for a win.}) 57... Kf4 58. Bxd4 Re7 59. Re2 Rd7 60. Kc3 Bxf3
61. Re8 $2 ({It was better to set up a defensive wall along the third rank
with Es war besser, mit} 61. Be5+ $1 Kf5 62. Re3 g4 63. Bg3 {I think that a
Mitja Jakovenko would not have lost this position. einen Verteidigungswall
entlang der dritten Reihe zu errichten. Ich denke, ein Mitja Jakovenko hдtte
diese Stellung nicht verloren.}) 61... Be4 $1 {Now the white rook will no
longer find its way back.  Jetzt kommt der weiЯe Turm schon nicht mehr zurьck.}
62. Rf8+ Bf5 $1 63. Rg8 g6 64. Rg7 {I think that White had pinned his hopes on
this exchange of rooks. But he is in for a bitter disappointment. Ich denke,
dass WeiЯ seine Hoffnungen in diesen Turmtausch gelegt hatte. Aber ihn
erwartet eine bittere Enttдuschung.} Rxd4 $3 {This is a really unexpected
exchange sacrifice. Especially when linked to Black's next move!  Das ist ein
wirklich unerwartetes Qualitдtsopfer. Insbesondere in Verbindung mit dem
nдchsten Zug von Schwarz!} 65. Kxd4 b6 $1 {The only way! Nur so!} ({After Nach
} 65... g4 $2 66. Rxb7 g3 67. Re7 g2 68. Re1 {White would have saved the game.
hдtte WeiЯ sich gerettet.}) 66. Kc3 $5 Ke3 $1 {This move too is the only one
which leads to the win.  Auch dieser Zug ist der einzige, der zum Gewinn fьhrt.
} 67. Rb7 g4 68. Rxb6 g3 69. Rd6 g2 70. Rd1 g5 $6 ({There was a simpler way to
win: Einfacher gewann} 70... Bg4 $1 {, for example: , zum Beispiel:} 71. Rg1 (
71. Rc1 Be2 72. Re1 Kf2) 71... Kf2 72. Rxg2+ Kxg2 73. b4 g5 74. b5 axb5 75.
cxb5 Kf2 76. a4 Bc8) 71. b4 (71. c5 Kf2 72. Rd2+ Kg3 73. Rd1 Kh2 74. b4 g1=Q
75. Rxg1 Kxg1 $19) 71... Kf2 72. a4 g1=Q 73. Rxg1 Kxg1 74. b5 axb5 75. axb5 g4
$1 ({Not Nicht} 75... Bd7 76. Kb4 g4 77. c5 g3 78. c6 Be8 79. Kc5 g2 {since
White saves the day after the surprising denn WeiЯ rettet sich nach dem
ьberraschenden} 80. Kd6 $3 Bh5 (80... Kf1 81. c7 g1=Q 82. c8=Q {is a draw ist
remis}) 81. c7 Bg4 82. b6 Bc8 83. Kc6 $11) 76. c5 g3 77. c6 g2 78. b6 Kf2 79.
b7 g1=Q 80. b8=Q {The pawns have promoted simultaneously, but Black starts
with checks... Die Bauern haben sich gleichzeitig verwandelt, aber Schwarz
fдngt mit den Schachs an...} Qc1+ $1 81. Kd4 Qe3+ $1 82. Kc4 (82. Kd5 Be6+ 83.
Kd6 Qf4+ 84. Kxe6 Qxb8 85. Kd7 Qb5 $1 $19) 82... Be6+ $1 {White resigns
because he loses his queen. The game had its mistakes, but it was a very
eventful encounter! WeiЯ gab auf, denn er verliert die Dame. Keine fehlerlose,
aber eine sehr ereignisreiche Partie!} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d6 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 6. h3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 7. g4 {[%emt 0:02:22]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:08]}
8. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:23]} 9. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 10. Qd2 {[%emt 0:03:28]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:02:01]} (10... Nxd4 11.
Bxd4 b5 12. Bxf6 exf6 13. O-O-O Be6 14. f4 Qa5 15. Kb1 f5 16. Nd5 Qxd2 17. Rxd2
fxg4 18. hxg4 Bxg4 19. Ne3 Bd7 20. Rxd6 Ra7 21. e5 Be6 22. Bd5 Re8 23. c4 Bf8
24. c5 h5 25. c6 Rc7 26. Bf3 Kg7 27. Rc1 h4 28. Bg4 Bxg4 29. Nxg4 Rec8 30. Rf6
Be7 31. a3 h3 32. Rc2 Rd8 33. Ka2 Rd3 34. f5 Rg3 35. Rd6 gxf5 36. Nf6 Bxf6 37.
Rxf6 Rg6 38. Rxf5 Rgxc6 39. Rg5+ Kf8 40. Rxc6 {Volokitin,A (2674)-Kotanjian,T 
(2531) Yerevan 2014 0-1}) 11. O-O-O {[%emt 0:09:30]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:15:24]} 12.
f4 {[%emt 0:16:13]} Na5 {[%emt 0:06:16]} 13. b3 {[%emt 0:03:05]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:
00:49]} 14. Nde2 {[%emt 0:04:32]} b5 {[%emt 0:06:50]} 15. Nd5 $146 {[%emt 0:10:
53]} (15. Kb1 Be6 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Nb7 18. Bd4 Nc5 19. Ng3 e5 20. fxe5
dxe5 21. Bb2 Qd6 22. g5 Nfd7 23. h4 Nb6 24. Ne4 Nxe4 25. Bxe4 Nd7 26. h5 Nc5
27. Bf3 Rc7 28. Qh2 Rfc8 29. hxg6 hxg6 30. Bg4 Rb8 31. Rde1 Re7 32. Re3 Ree8
33. Rh3 Kf8 34. Rh7 {1-0 (34) Admiraal,M (2221)-Bosboom,M (2455) Haarlem 2010})
15... Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 16. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:09:44]} 17.
Rhf1 {[%emt 0:08:20]} e6 {[%emt 0:08:52]} 18. Rf2 {[%emt 0:05:19] An
interesting but short game. A double-edged Najdorf saw the Azeri player
sacrifice a piece for the initiative. Topalov saw nothing better than to
return it to force a queen exchange, but he did gain the slightest bit of
pressure against Black's pawns in the resulting endgame. However Black was
never in any real problems and the game resulted in a draw.} Nc4 {[%emt 0:13:
00][%csl Gc4]} 19. bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 20. Bd4 {
[%emt 0:16:24]} c3 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 21. Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Qxc3 {[%emt 0:02:
09]} 22. Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:03:55]} 23. Rxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Rxc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 24. dxe6 {[%emt 0:01:53]} Rxe6 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 25. Rfd2
{[%emt 0:02:59]} Rg3 {[%emt 0:02:21]} 26. Rxd6 {[%emt 0:07:23]} Rxd6 {[%emt 0:
00:16]} 27. Rxd6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bxg4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 28. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:
12]} Rxg2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 29. g5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 30. Rd4
{[%emt 0:03:21]} f6 {[%emt 0:02:43]} 31. a4 {[%emt 0:04:54]} fxg5 {[%emt 0:00:
57]} 32. fxg5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Anand,V"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 {Before this game, Levon and I were running neck and neck. I had
spent some time checking Topalov's game with Svidler and the Najdorf.} 2. Nf3
d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 {The only argument against this move
was that Topalov had played it with White against Mamedyarov the previous day,
but in the end, I decided to go with it.} e6 {Shakhriyar had played 6...g6,
but I assumed Veselin would go for this.} 7. g4 Nfd7 8. Bg2 Be7 9. Be3 Nc6 10.
h4 Nde5 11. g5 Bd7 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. b3 {A bit weakening, but I wanted to stop
...Nc4.} f5 {I was happy to see this, since I felt this weakened the e6-pawn.}
14. f4 Ng4 15. Qe2 {Since the dark-squared bishop can't easily come to the
long diagonal, I was ready to give up the two bishops} (15. Bd2 O-O 16. Qe2 d5
17. exf5 exf5 18. O-O-O Kh8 {is messier.}) 15... Nxe3 16. Qxe3 fxe4 17. O-O-O
d5 18. Nxe4 Ba3+ (18... Qa5 {This is trickier than we both thought at the
board.} 19. Nc3 (19. Nd6+ Kf8 20. Qxe6 Qa3+ 21. Kb1 Qxd6 22. Qf5+ {and the
king stuck in the centre means that White has enough for the piece}) 19... O-O
20. Qxe6+ Kh8 {Here the comp points out that White has to be extremely precise:
} 21. Kb1 $1 (21. Qxe7 $2 Rfe8 $1 22. Qd6 Rad8) 21... Qxc3 (21... Rfe8 22. Qh3
$1 $18) 22. Qxe7 Rfe8 23. Rh3 $1 {only this move gives White an edge.}) 19. Kb1
Qe7 20. Nf2 $1 {Rerouting to e5.} Bc5 21. Qg3 Bxf2 22. Qxf2 O-O 23. Qd4 $1 {
I was happy here, since I saw the upcoming bishop ending was pleasant for
White.} Rf5 24. Rde1 $1 (24. Bh3 e5) (24. Rhf1 Raf8 25. Bh3 e5 26. fxe5 Rxe5
27. Rxf8+ Kxf8 28. Rf1+ Kg8 {and it's not clear how the presence of rooks
helps White.}) 24... Raf8 25. Rhf1 Qd6 {Black can't wait due to the threat of
Bh3.} 26. Re5 Rxe5 (26... Be8 27. Rxf5 Rxf5 28. Bh3 e5 29. Qe3 $1 $18) 27. fxe5
Rxf1+ 28. Bxf1 Qe7 29. a4 {Also a good move, but...} (29. Bh3 $1 {was my first
intention and it's simpler since it stops Black rerouting his bishop to g6.
However, I saw that Qa7 was very strong and decided to go for that.}) 29... Be8
30. Kb2 $2 (30. Qa7 $1 {I wanted to play this, but suddenly began to doubt the
pawn races at the board. As the comp shows, my doubts were mistaken, White
wins easily:} Qb4 31. Qb8 Kf8 32. Ka2 Qxh4 (32... Qb6 33. h5 Ke7 34. Bd3 g6 {
the comp defends like this, but this must be nice for White}) 33. Qxb7 Qxg5 34.
Bxa6 Qxe5 (34... h5 35. Qb8 h4 36. Bb5 Qe7 37. a5 h3 38. a6 h2 39. a7 h1=Q 40.
a8=Q $18) 35. Bd3 h5 36. a5 h4 (36... Qd6 {taking the queen back} 37. a6 Bc6
38. Qc8+ Kf7 39. a7 Qe7 40. Qb8 $1 {followed by Bb5}) 37. a6 {but even this
wins, albeit with another intermezzo} (37. Qb4+ $18 {the easiest, simply
collecting the pawn}) 37... h3 38. a7 h2 39. Qb8 $1 {This is important} (39.
a8=Q h1=Q {this is indeed drawn}) 39... Qxb8 (39... Qh5 40. a8=Q h1=Q 41. Qd6+
$18) 40. axb8=Q h1=Q 41. Bg6 $18 {Now White wins the bishop.}) 30... Bg6 31.
Bh3 h6 $2 {It only took me a few seconds to see the zugzwang and now I was
quite excited.} (31... Be4 {Black is still worse, but it's hard to see how
White breaks through.}) 32. gxh6 gxh6 33. Qg4 Kf7 34. h5 {And that's it.} Be4 {
Here I saw the next zugzwang coming!} (34... Bf5 {what I suspect he had
overlooked initially is that ...Qg5 loses} 35. Qf4 Qg5 36. Qxg5 hxg5 37. Bxf5
exf5 38. h6 {and the Black king can't stop both pawns.}) 35. a5 {This move is
vital, it fixes Black's queenside and makes the bishop the only piece which
can move; the black queen is needed to protect both the e6-pawn and the
f6-square.} Bh7 36. c3 $3 {A very nice move to be able to make.} Be4 37. c4 {
And now that Black can't recapture.} Bf5 {There is nothing else.} 38. Qf4 dxc4
39. Bxf5 exf5 40. Qxf5+ Ke8 41. Qc8+ Kf7 42. Qxc4+ Kg7 43. Qd5 $1 {Black's
king is still trapped on the last 2 ranks.} Kf8 44. Kc3 Ke8 45. b4 Qc7+ 46. Kd4
Qe7 47. Qg8+ (47. Qd6 Qh4+ 48. Kc5 {was much simpler.}) 47... Kd7 48. Kd5 Kc7 {
Now White has to be precise.} 49. Qg6 $1 Qh4 (49... Qxb4 50. Qd6+ Qxd6+ 51.
exd6+ {wins easily.}) 50. Qd6+ Kc8 51. Kc5 $1 {The White king now breaks
through via b6.} Qf2+ (51... Qxh5 52. Kb6 Qf7 53. e6 Qf2+ 54. Qc5+ Qxc5+ 55.
bxc5 h5 56. e7 Kd7 57. Kxb7 {and White is faster.}) 52. Qd4 Qf7 53. Qc4 $1 {
Now White's king can move with check.} (53. Kb6 $4 Qc7+ 54. Ka7 b5+) 53... Qg7
54. Kb6+ Kb8 55. Qc5 Qf7 56. Qd6+ Kc8 57. e6 {Topalov resigned, leaving me in
clear first place one point ahead of Aronian.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Negi,P"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {It's never easy to know what Andreikin's first move will be...} c5 2.
Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 {This seems to be the 'in' thing
these days. The explanation is probably more to do with the fact that theory
is much less evolved here, so there is a lot of room for innovation...
something rare in the main lines of the Najdorf.} (6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. h3 {
/\g4...Qf3...0-0-0... This is another in vogue line that came up only a few
years ago, but has already been tried in a huge amount of games.}) 6... e5 7.
Nb3 {Compared to the 6.Be3 line mentioned above, White hasn't yet committed to
Be3 yet, and he could try to make use of that. Unfortunately for him, it's not
so easy to utilise that...although White does have a few interesting options.}
(7. Nde2 {is a more natural move - with the idea of g4...Ng3...Bg2, but now
Black replies} h5 $1 {and we get a tense middle game with a lot of slow
manoeuvring since White can't easily get an initiative here.}) 7... Be6 (7...
Be7 {would be an inaccuracy, as now Black doesn't threaten ...d5, and White
could just go for} 8. g4 $1 {/\ g5...h4...Bg2 etc.}) 8. g4 $6 {I really don't
understand what Andreikin had in mind...later in the press conference he
mentioned that he couldn't spend much time on the Najdorf and just decided to
play this. Unfortunately for him, Black's life is just quite easy here after
the natural ...d5.} (8. Be3 {would convert to the 6.Be3 line mentioned above.})
(8. f4 {is a more interesting attempt to make use of the bishop still being on
c1. Now obviously exf4 plays right into White's hands, so Black has to find
more inventive ways to deal with f4:} b5 $5 (8... Nbd7 {ignores f5 altogether.}
9. g4 (9. f5 Bxb3 10. axb3 d5 $1 11. exd5 Bb4 {will lead to a complicated
middlegame, but Black seems ok at first.}) 9... b5 10. Bg2 Nb6 (10... h6 {
is probably better here}) 11. g5 Nfd7 12. f5 Bc4 13. Na5 Rc8 14. Nxc4 (14. Qd2
{lets the bishop off the hook.} b4 15. Nd1 Bb5 {with very unclear play
Khismatullin,D (2714)-Duda,J (2563) Yerevan 2014}) 14... Rxc4 (14... Nxc4 15.
h4 $14) 15. a3 $14) 9. f5 (9. fxe5 dxe5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {seems very solid for
Black}) 9... Bc8 {Initially, I had considered this to be just ok for Black
based on the computer assesments...but things might not be so simple:} 10. Bg5
Bb7 (10... Nbd7 $1 11. Qf3 (11. a4 b4 12. Nd5 Bb7 {is very comfortable for
Black}) 11... Bb7 {transposing to the game after 10...Bb7.}) 11. Qf3 (11. Bxf6
$1 Qxf6 12. Qf3 {would have avoided Nd7-Nxf6, and therefore give White a
better version}) 11... Nbd7 12. O-O-O Be7 (12... Rc8 13. Nd5 (13. Kb1 Rxc3 $1
14. Qxc3 Nxe4 15. Bxd8 Nxc3+ 16. bxc3 Kxd8 $44) 13... Be7 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. Kb1
{converts to the game.}) 13. Kb1 Rc8 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. Nd5 {The computer
claims that Black is simply better here, but I think it considerably
mis-assesses White's attacking chances after exd5, and a future kingside pawn
assault.} Nxd5 $146 (15... O-O 16. Bd3 $5 Nxd5 17. exd5 $14 {The kingside
pawns are just pushing - White can always sacrifice them as well, while the
bishop is ideally placed on e4. I would prefer White here...}) (15... Bxd5 16.
exd5 h5 $5 {Black deals with the kingside threats...but h5 is also a big
commitment...For instance White could just ignore h5-h4, and plan a later
break with Rg1...g3.} 17. g3 (17. Bd3 h4 18. Nd2 $13 {/\ Rg1...g3.}) 17... h4
18. g4 Nh7 19. Nd2 Ng5 20. Qg2 Qb6 21. Bd3 Bf6 22. Rhe1 Ke7 23. Ne4 Nxe4 24.
Rxe4 Bg5 $11 {1-0 (61) Grischuk,A (2785)-Wojtaszek,R (2701) Riga 2013}) 16.
exd5 e4 $5 {seems to be the best line to me. At least Black will have a clear
way to continue due to the active dark squared bishop...} 17. Qxe4 O-O 18. Bd3
Bf6 $44 {An interesting position that needs to be analysed more certainly, but
Black's play doesn't seem too hard to me.}) 8... d5 $1 9. g5 (9. exd5 Nxd5 10.
Bg2 {seems a better try to me, as after} Nxc3 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. bxc3 {At
least the newly opened b-file gives White some prospects to create threats
against the black king. At the same time, Black should be ok objectively...}
Nc6 $11) 9... Nxe4 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {The king is temporarily
misplaced, but White isn't developed enough to exploit that.} 12. Bg2 Nc6 (
12... Bd7 {seemed a simple way to continue as well, but as Svidler showed in
the game, he doesn't have to hurry to try and equalise either.} 13. Bxe4 Bc6
$11) 13. Bxe4 Kc7 14. Bd2 (14. Be3 {looked more natural, but now after} Rd8 {
White can't go 0-0-0.}) 14... h6 $1 {The g5-pawn is somewhat awkward in an
otherwise typical structure. This makes Black's life much easier.} 15. h4 (15.
gxh6 g6 16. O-O-O Bxh6 $15) 15... hxg5 16. hxg5 Rxh1+ 17. Bxh1 Be7 18. O-O-O
Rh8 {Already White needs to worry about retaining equality. The g5-pawn is
very weak, and White is barely able to keep it, but also there is no clear
plan for White to continue. Andreikin wisely decided to just hold his position
together, and prevent Black's ideas.} 19. Be3 Rh4 (19... Rh5 {doesn't win the
pawn because of} 20. Bf3 $1) 20. Bg2 b6 21. a3 a5 22. Re1 (22. Rh1 Rxh1+ 23.
Bxh1 a4 24. Nd2 Nd4 {isn't an equal endgame yet, so keeping the rooks gives
White more flexibility in defence.}) 22... g6 23. Nd2 Nd4 24. Nf3 $1 {
Exchanging the knights is definitely in White's favour.} Rg4 25. Bh1 Bd6 (25...
Nc6 26. Nh2 {doesn't really let Black achieve much either.}) 26. Bd2 Nc6 27.
Be3 {Black's position looks extremely pleasant, but it's hard to find a way to
break through here. Black repeated once more before trying to play on} Nd4 28.
Bd2 Nc6 29. Be3 Bf5 30. Rg1 Rxg1+ 31. Nxg1 {White has a better version of the
endgame here, as he can generate some play with the threat of Bd5 as well.
Black doesn't really take much risk of course, but it's also quite
understandable that he didn't see any reason to try on for something so minute.
} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d5 {
[%emt 0:00:38]} 3. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} c6 {[%emt 0:02:18]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:00:
21]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:11:09]} 5. c4 {[%emt 0:03:18]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:04:08]} 6. Nc3 {
[%emt 0:05:24]} e6 {[%emt 0:02:05]} 7. Qb3 {[%emt 0:10:32] Karjakin played a
sideline against Kramnik, one that is seen very rarely at the top level. This
paid off very handsomely as Kramnik inexplicably blundered as soon as move
seven. 7...dxc4?? simply left him down a pawn and his position did not have
even the slightest bit of compensation. It is strange to think even what he
missed, as most of the lines were rather obvious.} dxc4 $2 $146 {[%emt 0:14:33]
} (7... Bxf3 8. gxf3 Qb6 9. c5 Qxb3 10. axb3 a6 11. b4 Rc8 12. Bg3 g6 13. Na2
Nh5 14. Nc1 Nxg3 15. hxg3 e5 16. Nb3 Bg7 17. Kd2 h5 18. Bd3 f5 19. f4 exd4 20.
Nxd4 Kf7 21. f3 Rce8 22. Rhg1 Rxe3 23. Kxe3 Re8+ 24. Kd2 Bxd4 25. Rge1 Rxe1 26.
Rxe1 Bf2 27. Ra1 Bxg3 28. Ke3 h4 29. b5 axb5 30. b4 h3 31. Bf1 h2 32. Bg2 Ke7
33. Ra7 Be1 34. Rxb7 Bxb4 35. Kf2 Bxc5+ 36. Kg3 Bg1 37. Kh4 {Eljanov,P (2716)
-Najer,E (2663) Netanya 2009 0-1}) 8. Qxb7 {[%emt 0:09:04]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:04:
05]} 9. gxf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:01:29]} 10. Bg3 {[%emt 0:03:52]}
N5b6 {[%emt 0:20:32]} 11. Qxc6 {[%emt 0:01:52]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:03:04]} 12. Qb5 {
[%emt 0:06:53]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:02:19]} 13. a3 {[%emt 0:01:21]} Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:
48]} 14. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:34]} 15. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:14:17]}
Nxc4 {[%emt 0:03:13]} 16. Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 17. Qd3 {
[%emt 0:11:17]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 18. O-O {[%emt 0:00:52]} Rc4 {[%emt 0:01:
33]} 19. Rfb1 {[%emt 0:05:34]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 20. Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:11]}
h5 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 21. e4 {[%emt 0:03:57]} Qg5 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 22. h4 {
[%emt 0:03:08]} Qa5 {[%emt 0:07:38]} 23. Rc1 {[%emt 0:02:27]} Qa4 {[%emt 0:01:
02]} 24. Qb1 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:04:53]} 25. Kg2 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Nf8
{[%emt 0:01:27]} 26. Qb2 {[%emt 0:03:21]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:03:25]} 27. Rb7 {
[%emt 0:03:43]} a6 {[%emt 0:03:19]} 28. Qb6 {[%emt 0:02:25]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:02:
29]} 29. Qxa6 {[%emt 0:05:16]} Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 30. Qb5 {[%emt 0:01:55]} e5
{[%emt 0:01:13]} 31. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Rxc3 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 32. dxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 33. Qd5 {[%emt 0:02:49]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 34. Ra1 {[%emt 0:02:10]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:02:09]} 35. Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Qf8
{[%emt 0:00:24]} 36. Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Qxe7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 37. Rxe7 {
[%emt 0:00:03] Karjakin made his win a lot harder than he should have,
eventually reaching a double rook endgame up two pawns that he had to figure
out how to win, but he managed in the end.} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 38. a4 {
[%emt 0:01:40]} Nxf3 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 39. e6 {[%emt 0:03:03]} fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:
28]} 40. Rxe6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Re5 {[%emt 0:03:09]}
Ne2 {[%emt 0:05:27]} 42. Rxh5 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Nxg3 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 43. fxg3 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Re3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 44. a5 {[%emt 0:03:32]} Rxe4 {[%emt 0:02:
45]} 45. a6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Re7 {[%emt 0:04:12]} 46. Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:47]} Kh7
{[%emt 0:00:45]} 47. Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 48. Rb6 {
[%emt 0:00:23]} Raa7 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 49. Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Re3 {[%emt 0:03:
19]} 50. h5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Rd3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 51. Kh4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rd4+
{[%emt 0:01:22]} 52. g4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Re4 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 53. Kg5 {[%emt 0:
01:37]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 54. Rg6 {[%emt 0:02:00]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:04:21]} 55.
Kh4 {[%emt 0:02:17]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 56. Rc6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Re4 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} 57. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Re1 {[%emt 0:02:50]} 58. Ra4 {[%emt 0:
06:03]} Re3 {[%emt 0:04:40]} 59. g5 {[%emt 0:02:39]} Ree7 {[%emt 0:01:15]} 60.
Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. Rb6 {[%emt 0:02:58]} gxh5 {
[%emt 0:01:37]} 62. Rab4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Re1 {[%emt 0:02:38]} 63. Rb7+ {
[%emt 0:00:27]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 64. R4b6+ {[%emt 0:00:22]} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Nfd7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. a3
Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 f6 10. exf6 Qe8+ (10... Qxf6 {is the common move in this
position - see CBM 106, annotations to Moskalenko - Gonzalez by V.Gavrikov.
Here is a later GM game:} 11. Ne2 Nb6 12. Nf4 c5 $6 (12... Nc6 $13) 13. a4 Nc6
14. a5 Nc4 15. Nxd5 Qe6+ 16. Qe2 N4xa5 17. Qxe6+ Bxe6 18. Nc7 $16 {1/2 (26)
Aleksandrov,A (2604)-Kravtsiv,M (2546) Bhubaneswar 2010}) 11. Qe2 (11. Kf2 $6
Nxf6 12. Bd3 Ne4+ 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Qb3+ Kh8 15. f4 Nc6 16. Ne2 Na5 $17 {
1/2 (48) Hawkins,J (2383)-Zdebskaja,N (2408) Hastings 2010}) 11... Qf7 $5 $146
{Black goes for sharp play, not content with equality after the recapture on
f6:} (11... Nxf6 12. Qxe8 Nxe8 13. Ne2 Nd6 (13... Nd7 $142 $11 {[%cal Yd7b6]})
14. Bf4 Rd8 15. Ng3 Nc6 16. Bd3 Be6 17. Kf2 Bf7 18. Nf5 Bg6 {1/2 (18) Shmeliov,
D (2270)-Kraai,J (2505) Las Vegas 2007} 19. Nxd6 cxd6 20. Bxg6 hxg6 21. Rab1 b6
22. Rb5 $14) 12. fxg7 Re8 13. Be3 Nc6 14. Qd2 Na5 15. Rb1 Nb6 16. Rb4 {White
must give up an exchange; however, if he successfully completes his
development after that, Black's exposed king will guarantee him good
compensation.} Nac4 17. Bxc4 dxc4 $6 {Too subtle.} (17... Nxc4 $142 18. Rxc4
dxc4 19. Ne2 Bf5 {[%cal Ya8d8,Yc7c5] with an excellent position for Black.})
18. Rb5 $1 Bf5 $6 {In the second half of the Candidates tournament Levon
Aronian often took strange decisions when he should have made simple and good
moves.} (18... Nd5 $142 19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20. Ne2 Bf5) 19. Kf2 $6 {White prefers
to follow his initial plan but it was quite possible to play} (19. Re5 {, e.g.}
Rxe5 20. dxe5 Qe7 21. Ne2 Qxe5 22. Nf4 Re8 23. Kf2 Qxg7 {- Black restores the
material balance but his position is poor as his king is completely
unprotected.}) 19... Nd5 20. Rxd5 ({It is strange to suggest} 20. Bf4 $5 {
after White has not played 19.Re5.}) 20... Qxd5 21. Ne2 a5 {[%mdl 32] The plan
of advancing queenside pawns eventually fails. Black can only make c4 a passed
pawn but it will be safely blocked on c3; meanwhile, White develops his
initiative on the kingside.} (21... Rad8 {[%cal Yc7c5] deserved attention here,
too, although it would work better with Black's queen on f7 (see annotation to
move 17).}) 22. h4 b5 23. h5 b4 $6 (23... Qd6 $5 {(recommended by P.Maletin)}
24. Ra1 Qf6 {probably offered Black more counter-chances.}) 24. cxb4 axb4 25.
axb4 Qb5 $6 (25... Bd3 $142 26. Nf4 Qd6 {, according to P.Maletin.}) 26. Re1
Bd3 (26... Ra3 27. Bg5 $1) 27. Nf4 Ra3 (27... Ra4 28. d5 Qxb4 29. Qxb4 Rxb4 30.
h6 $16 {[%csl Gg7] _|_, P.Maletin}) 28. d5 Bb1 29. Kg3 c3 {Black has finally
managed to push his c-pawn but the collapse on the e-file comes before it can
queen.} 30. Qc1 Rb3 31. Bc5 (31. Bd4 {was even simpler:} c2 32. h6 $18 {
[%cal Rf4h5]}) 31... Rxe1 (31... Qd7 32. Ne6 {[%cal Yc1g5]}) 32. Qxe1 Qd7 33.
h6 Qf7 34. Nh5 Bg6 35. Qe8+ $1 Qxe8 36. Nf6+ Kf7 37. Nxe8 Ra3 38. Nf6 Ra8 39.
g8=Q+ Rxg8 40. Nxg8 Kxg8 {[%mdl 4096]} 41. Kf4 Bd3 42. Ke5 Kf7 43. Be3 {
The principle of the diagonal: the bishop stops Black's passed pawn and
supports White's kingside pawns along the same diagonal.} Bf1 44. g4 {White
plays g5, f4-f5 (the g5-g6 threat forces Black's king to stay on f7) -f6, then
d5-d6, creating a decisive passed pawn on the b-file.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 {Both players had a
game with this variation in this Candidates tournament.} e6 ({Two rounds
previously Mamedyarov played} 6... g6 7. g4 Bg7 8. Bg2 O-O 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2
Bd7 11. O-O-O Rc8 12. f4 Na5 13. b3 Qc7 14. Nde2 b5 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Rfe8
17. Rhf1 e6 $13 {with a sharp position, Topalov-Mamedyarov, Khanty-Mansiysk (8)
2014.}) 7. g4 h6 {This move is transposing to the Keres Attack.} ({In the
previous round Topalov played} 7... Nfd7 {against Vishy,} 8. Bg2 Be7 9. Be3 Nc6
10. h4 $5 {A rare, but an ambitious move.} (10. Qe2 {is more popular.}) 10...
Nde5 11. g5 Bd7 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. b3 f5 14. f4 Ng4 15. Qe2 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 fxe4
17. O-O-O d5 18. Nxe4 Ba3+ 19. Kb1 Qe7 20. Nf2 Bc5 21. Qg3 Bxf2 22. Qxf2 $14 {
and White has a hopeful position, later he managed to win, Anand-Topalov,
Khanty-Mansiysk (9) 2014.}) 8. Bg2 Be7 (8... Qc7) (8... g5) ({or} 8... Nc6 {
are also very common lines.}) 9. Be3 Nc6 10. f4 (10. Qe2 {is also typical in
this type of lines,} Nxd4 11. Bxd4 e5 12. Be3 b5 13. O-O-O b4 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15.
exd5 O-O 16. Be4 Bg5 17. Rdg1 Bxe3+ 18. fxe3 Qh4 $13 {with an unclear position,
Shirov-Khismatullin, Loo 2014.}) 10... Nd7 (10... Qc7 {has also been tried} 11.
Qd2 Bd7 12. O-O-O Na5 13. b3 Rc8 14. Nce2 g6 15. Ng3 e5 $6 (15... Nc6 16. Kb1
$14) 16. Nde2 Bc6 17. Kb1 Nd7 18. Rhf1 $16 {Van Kampen-Timman, Wijk aan Zee
2013 and Black was in big trouble.}) 11. Qd2 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 e5 13. fxe5 (13. Bf2
{was more popular, but the text move is also an interesting alternative.})
13... Bh4+ 14. Bf2 Nxe5 15. O-O-O Bxf2 16. Qxf2 Be6 17. Qd4 Qg5+ (17... h5 {
was also played in a correspondence game,} 18. Kb1 Rc8 (18... Qe7 $5) 19. gxh5
Rc6 20. Nd5 Rxh5 $13 {with an unclear position. Black's e5 N is very strong,
Potrata-Emelyanov, ICCF 2012.}) 18. Kb1 O-O-O {They have finished their
development, Black has a really strong e5 N, on the other hand the d6 pawn is
a little bit weak, so the position is balanced.} 19. Bf1 {A logical decision.
The B wasn't already useful on g2, so White would like to activate it from f1.}
Nc6 20. Qf2 Qc5 {The black Q was a little bit out of play on the kingside, so
Mamedyarov brings it to the other side.} 21. Qg3 Qe5 22. Qf2 Qc5 23. Qg3 Kb8 {
Black didn't repeat, however White's chances are not worse.} 24. Be2 Ne5 25.
Nd5 Rc8 26. c3 f6 27. Rd4 Rhe8 28. Rhd1 Rcd8 29. Bd3 Nc6 30. Rc4 Qa7 {and draw.
} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 Bf5 6. Bd3 {A solid way to fight
for a small edge without taking much risk.} Bxd3 7. Qxd3 e6 8. O-O Bb4 {
Preventing White from pushing e3-e4 at the early stage of the game. In many
cases Black may even be able to afford to give up the dark-squared bishop.} 9.
Bd2 O-O 10. Rfd1 {A tricky waiting move. The natural 10...Nbd7? would be a
tactical blunder: 11.Nxd5! Nxd5 12.cxd5 Bxd2 13.dxe6 and White wins a pawn.} ({
Also worth considering is} 10. a3 $5 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 (11. bxc3 b5 12. cxd5 exd5
13. a4 Nbd7 $11) 11... Nbd7 12. Nd2 c5 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Qe2 dxc4 15. Nxc4 Nd5
16. Be5 b5 17. Nd2 Rc8 {and White is marginally better here.}) 10... a5 (10...
Ba5 $5) 11. a3 Be7 (11... Bxc3 $6 {In this version this decision seem dubious:}
12. bxc3 $1 Nbd7 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. c4 $14 {and we can clearly see a drawback
to the weakening 10...a5.}) 12. e4 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 {Black's position lacks
some space, so exchanging one pair of knights may definitely ease his task.} (
13... Nbd7 14. Nc3 $1 {potentially may be more dangerous for Black. For
instance,} Qb6 15. Bf4 a4 16. h3 Qa6 17. Rac1 Rad8 18. Qf1 h6 19. d5 $14 {
1-0 Bacrot,E (2691)-Rausis,I (2486)/Liverpool 2008/CBM 126 Extra (35)}) 14.
Qxe4 Nd7 15. Bf4 $146 {A natural novelty. The bishop was blocking the d-file,
so White finds the best square for it.} (15. a4 Qb6 16. Bf4 Rfe8 17. Qe2 {
1-0 Papp,P (2316)-Bird,A (2205)/Kecskemet HUN 2013 (50)} c5 18. d5 exd5 19.
Rxd5 Nf6 $11) (15. Bc3 Nf6 16. Qe2 Qc7 $11) 15... Re8 {A standard prophylactic
move. Black is not only protecting the bishop, but also freeing a way for the
route Nd7-f8-g6.} ({Veselin could hardly improve on his play at this stage:} 
15... Qb6 16. Qc2 Rfd8 17. Rd3 c5 18. d5 exd5 19. Rxd5 Nf6 (19... Nf8 20. Rad1
Ng6 21. Bg3 Rxd5 22. cxd5 $14) 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Re1 Bd6 22. Bd2 $14 {with
stable pressure.}) 16. Qc2 ({Levon could also try} 16. Rd3 $5 a4 (16... Qb6 17.
Qe2 Qa6 18. Re3 b5 19. Re1 $14) (16... Nf6 17. Qe2 a4 18. Rad1 Qa5 19. Ne5 Rad8
20. h4 $14) 17. Rad1 Qb6 18. Qe2 Rad8 19. Re3 $14 {Preventing the freeing
c6-c5 for a while.}) 16... Qb6 17. Rd3 ({There was also the interesting} 17. c5
$5 Qa6 18. Rd3 Rad8 19. Rad1 {White has a serious space advantage and a clear
plan of delivering the knight to d6. Black's control over the d5-square
doesn't fully compensate for those factors.} Nf6 (19... a4 20. h3 Nf6 21. Ne5
Rd5 (21... Nd5 22. Bg3 {followed by 23.Nc4 with some advantage.}) 22. Nc4 $14)
20. Ne5 Nd5 21. Bg3 Bf6 22. Nc4 $14) 17... c5 18. d5 (18. Rad1 cxd4 19. Rxd4
Nc5 20. Be3 Red8 $11) 18... Bf6 (18... exd5 19. Rxd5 Nf8 20. Rad1 Rad8 21. Be5
Ng6 22. Bc3 Bf6 23. Qd2 Rxd5 24. cxd5 Bxc3 25. bxc3 $14) 19. Rad1 $6 {This
natural move allows Black to regroup the pieces.} ({That seems the last moment
to pose Black any problems:} 19. Rb3 $1 {after any retreat the queen would be
misplaced, so Black lacks harmony:} Qa7 (19... Qa6 20. Rd1 exd5 21. Rxd5 a4 (
21... Nf8 22. Rd6 Qa7 23. Rdb6 Re7 24. Bd6 $16) 22. Re3 Qc6 23. Qf5 $14) 20. a4
(20. Rd1 exd5 21. Rxd5 Nf8 {is close to equality too.}) 20... exd5 21. cxd5
Rac8 22. Rc1 b6 23. Re3 $14) 19... exd5 20. Rxd5 (20. cxd5 $6 {is unsuccessful
from a human point of view, since after} a4 21. R3d2 Qb3 {Black has a
comfortable position,while the passed Pd5 may become weak soon.}) 20... Nf8 21.
R1d2 {Protecting the Pb2, but Black gets some tactical resources, as it
weakens the 1st rank.} ({However, it looks like in case of} 21. Be5 Bxe5 22.
Nxe5 Rad8 23. g3 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Qc7 25. Qf5 b6 $11 {Black should easily
equalise too .}) 21... Ne6 $11 22. Rd6 (22. Be3 Rad8 23. g3 h6 $11) 22... Qc7
23. Bg3 $6 {Levon is allowing too much activity.} ({A more accurate try would
be} 23. Rxe6 Qxf4 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Rd5 $11) 23... Nd4 $1 24. Qd1 $1 {
Switching to a precise defence.} (24. Qd3 Qe7 25. h3 Rad8 26. Nxd4 Rxd6 27.
Bxd6 Qe1+ 28. Kh2 Bxd4 $15) 24... Qe7 ({After} 24... Nxf3+ 25. gxf3 Qc8 26. Kg2
Bd4 27. Re2 $11 {Black can hardly exploit any drawback in White's kingside
pawn structure.}) 25. h3 Rad8 26. Rxd8 ({Levon could also simplify the
position:} 26. Nxd4 Rxd6 (26... cxd4 27. c5 $11) (26... Qe1+ 27. Qxe1 Rxe1+ 28.
Kh2 Rxd6 29. Bxd6 Bxd4 30. b4 $11) 27. Bxd6 Qe1+ 28. Qxe1 Rxe1+ 29. Kh2 Bxd4
30. b4 $11) 26... Rxd8 27. Nxd4 cxd4 {Veselin chooses the ambitious way, but
White is able to stop the passed pawn.} (27... Bxd4 $5 {requires some accuracy
as well:} 28. Qe2 (28. b4 b6 29. bxa5 bxa5 30. Kf1 Qe6 31. Qe2 Qb6 $15) 28...
Qd7 29. Bf4 Re8 30. Be3 Re4 31. Qf3 Qe6 32. Bxd4 cxd4 33. b3 $11) 28. a4 $1 {
An important move - fixing the pawn structure may tell in the edngame.} h5 (
28... Re8 29. Kf1 Qc5 30. b3 h5 31. f3 $11) 29. b3 h4 30. Bf4 g5 $6 {This move
doesn't change the objective valuation, but after exposing the king Black
should be careful as well.} (30... Re8 31. Kf1 g5 32. Bh2 $11) 31. Re2 $1 {
Taking control over the e-file.} Qc5 32. Bd2 Qf5 33. Re1 b6 $1 {Correctly
deviating from the most tempting advance.} (33... d3 34. Qh5 Kg7 35. f4 Qg6 36.
Qg4 gxf4 37. Qxf4 Rd4 38. Qf3 $14) 34. Qf3 {Going into an equal endgame.} ({
The strong passed pawn is too strong, so White couldn't create any serious
threats:} 34. Qh5 Qd3 35. Rd1 (35. Bxg5 $6 Qf5 36. f4 d3 $15) 35... Qc2 36.
Bxg5 Qf5 37. f4 d3 $11) 34... Qxf3 35. gxf3 Kg7 36. Kf1 (36. f4 gxf4 37. Bxf4
d3 38. Rd1 Rd7 39. Be3 Rd6 40. Kg2 Kg6 41. Kf3 Kf5 $11) 36... Kg6 37. Re4 Kf5
38. Ke2 d3+ $1 {Just in time! Black shouldn't allow 39.Kd3.} 39. Kd1 Bd4 40.
Rg4 ({Or} 40. Be3 Bc5 $1 41. Kd2 Bb4+ 42. Kd1 Bc5 $11) 40... f6 41. f4 gxf4 42.
Rxf4+ Ke5 43. f3 ({White could try} 43. Rxh4 Bxf2 44. Bc3+ Kf5 45. Rh5+ {
but it doesn't give any realistic hopes either:} Ke6 ({or} 45... Ke4 46. Bxf6
Rf8 47. Re5+ Kf4 48. Be7 Re8 49. Re6 Kf5 50. Rf6+ Ke4 51. Rf7 Be3 $11 {with
sufficient counterplay.}) 46. Rd5 $1 Rxd5 47. cxd5+ Kxd5 48. Bxf6 b5 49. axb5
Kc5 50. Kd2 Kxb5 51. Kxd3 a4 52. bxa4+ Kxa4 $11) 43... Bf2 44. Rg4 Kf5 45. Rf4+
Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06] Karjakin's
approach to the Paulsen, which was basically trade all the pieces, didn't
promise him any advantage and the game quickly reached an equal endgame. It
wasn't a dead draw yet, ideas still existed for both sides, but neither tried
particularly hard.} 6. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:01:30]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 7. Qd3 {
[%emt 0:00:32]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 8. Qg3 {[%emt 0:02:13]} Qxg3 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} 9. hxg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 10. g4 {[%emt 0:01:47]} Rb8 {
[%emt 0:08:55]} 11. g5 {[%emt 0:02:16]} f6 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 12. gxf6 {[%emt 0:
27:48]} Nxf6 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 13. e5 $146 {[%emt 0:00:48]} (13. Bd3 Bd6 14. O-O
O-O 15. Re1 Bc5 16. exd5 cxd5 17. Na4 Bd6 18. b3 e5 19. f3 Bd7 20. Bd2 Rbc8 21.
Nb6 Bc5+ 22. Be3 Bxe3+ 23. Rxe3 Rc6 24. Nxd7 Nxd7 25. c4 d4 26. Re2 a5 27. Be4
Rc7 28. Bd5+ Kh8 29. a3 h6 30. b4 axb4 31. axb4 Nb6 32. Rxe5 {1/2-1/2 (32)
Karjakin,S (2721)-Mamedyarov,S (2725) Baku 2009}) 13... Nd7 {[%emt 0:15:07]}
14. f4 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 15. Rh3 {[%emt 0:23:01]} a5 {
[%emt 0:03:08]} 16. b3 {[%emt 0:08:30]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:05:51]} 17. Bxa6 {[%emt 0:
09:11]} Nxa6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 18. Na4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:05:39]} 19.
Bd2 {[%emt 0:07:56]} Re4+ {[%emt 0:01:21]} 20. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bb4 {
[%emt 0:08:27]} 21. c3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Ba3 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 22. Re1 {[%emt 0:
00:35]} Rxe1+ {[%emt 0:00:55]} 23. Kxe1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:22]}
24. Ke2 {[%emt 0:06:50]} h6 {[%emt 0:04:21]} 25. Rg3 {[%emt 0:02:45]} Kf7 {
[%emt 0:01:34]} 26. Rh3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 27. Rg3+ {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Rh3 {[%emt 0:01:15]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} 29. Rg3+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} ({Kramnik's
treatment of the fight for the centre strongly reminds me of the following
variation:} 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nh3 d6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Nf4 c6 7. d5 {White
sustains his d5-pawn with pieces, not wasting time for the strategically
constructive c2-c4. This is how Korchnoi played on three occasions, winning
each time! The best known game was Kortschnoj,V (2625)-Gurevich,M (2645)
Rotterdam 1990 CBM 018 [Schussler] (1-0, 45)}) 2... Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 3. e3
$5 {[%emt 0:00:38] For decades, White has almost invariably met the Dutch
Defence with g2-g3, but Black seems to be doing fine in the main lines of the
Leningrad system lately. Little wonder that at the top level White is trying
stepping aside, relying on his theoretical advantage of the first move in a
non-symmetrical position, rather than on long forced variations.} ({The Wijk
aan Zee winner had a similar approach in the last round of the tournament:} 3.
Bf4 $5 {Aronian,L (2812)-Van Wely,L (2672) Wijk aan Zee 2014 CBM 159 [Stohl,I]
(0-1, 38)}) 3... b6 {[%emt 0:11:02] We can only guess which system Sivdler
planned to choose against g2-g3, but in the absence of White's pressure along
the long diagonal, a logical answer. This position reminds me of a small
incident from my childhood. I was away from home for a few weeks when my
father called to tell me he had bought a book on the Dutch Defence. I had no
idea at all of the possible plans and ideas, but being caught by sudden
enthusiasm I started "analysing" on my own the position after 1.d4 f5. I
remember quite clearly that the current position became my main "tabyia" soon.
Later, I was disappointed to learn that g2-g3 outrules my setup and switcehd
to the 7...c6 Leningrad variation, which is the most critical nowadays, by the
way. Anyway, the thing I wanted to highlight is that there must be some
logical background to both sides' play, which made my then uninstructed mind
take this direction.} ({Actually, a more restrictive way of transposing to the
...b7-b6 setup is} 3... e6 4. Bd3 b6 5. O-O Bb7 6. c4 Bd6 $5 {Truly
hypermodern, reminiscent of the game Lasker-Bauer with reversed colours. Of
course, nobody would allow the double bishop sacrifice nowadays, but the
bishops' pressure may be disturbing anyway.} {In Alekhine's times,} 7. Nc3 {
was the fashion.} ({The modern tendency (if we can call it as such in a rather
unpopular line) is} 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Re1 (8. Qc2 Nc6 9. a3 a5 10. h3 a4 {
Hertneck,G (2560)-Jussupow,A (2640) Baden-Baden 1992 CBM 033 [Jussupow] (0-1,
24)}) 8... Ne4 9. Qc2 Nxd2 10. Nxd2 Qh4 11. g3 Qh5 12. Be2 Qg6 13. f4 c5 14.
Nf3 Nc6 $13 {Aleksandrov,A (2614)-Peralta,F (2546) Warsaw 2007 (1-0, 34)}) 7...
O-O 8. a3 ({Blocking the long diagonal with} 8. d5 {does not seem effective at
this stage of the game.} Na6 9. e4 fxe4 10. Nxe4 Nc5 11. Nxc5 Bxc5 12. dxe6
dxe6 13. Qe2 e5 $36 {Candeias,T (2078)-Wohl,A (2419) Pontevedra 2002 (0-1, 30)}
) (8. Qe2 Bb4 9. Bd2 Ne4 10. a3 Bd6 $6 11. b4 Rf6 12. Ne5 $6 Bxe5 13. dxe5 Rg6
14. f3 $2 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 Nc6 $17 {Ekenberg,B-Alekhine,A Oerebro 1935 (0-1, 23)})
8... a6 $6 (8... a5 9. Nb5 Be7 10. b3 Na6 11. Bb2 Qe8 $132) 9. b4 Qe8 10. c5
Be7 11. Bc4 $14 {Nimzowitsch,A-Alekhine,A Hamburg 1910 (1/2-1/2, 30)}) 4. d5 $5
$146 {[%emt 0:06:29] An original way of changing the fluent course of the game
and a novelty as early as on move 4!!} Bb7 {[%emt 0:03:03]} 5. Bc4 {[%emt 0:01:
49] This is the moment when White's approach starts ressembling Korchnoi's in
the aforementioned games.} ({Played before castling,} 5. c4 {offers Black easy
development:} e6 6. dxe6 (6. Nc3 Bb4 {[%csl Gd5]}) ({Actually, just few moves
after the novelty, play could have transposed to some lines starting with 3...
e6, for instance} 6. Bd3 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 {1/2-1/2 (7) Loncar,R (2455)-Lovric,B 
(2340) Tucepi 1996}) 6... Bb4+ $1 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2 dxe6 (8... O-O $5 9.
exd7 Ne4 10. Qc2 Nxd7 $44) 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Nc3 Nbd7 11. Be2 Ke7 {After the
exchange of the dark-squared bishops the king finds a safe place in the centre,
defending Black's only important weakness, the e6-pawn.}) 5... c6 {[%emt 0:02:
35]} 6. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:47]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 7. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:01:23]} e6
{[%emt 0:00:39]} 8. Nxf6+ {[%emt 0:11:50]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 9. O-O {
[%emt 0:00:34] A very unusual position. White has given away his ambitions for
a pawn centre, aiming for free piece development. The f5-pawn ensures Black
some space advantage, but in the long run may also prove a weakness.} Bc5 {
[%emt 0:08:59] The bishop has little scope and will also be exposed here.} ({
But the attempt for a more natural development to g7 after} 9... g6 {could be
met with} 10. Bd2 $5 {When Black practically has to pick up the gauntlet with}
Qxb2 11. Nd4 Qa3 {, hoping that he will survive the opening phase.}) 10. Bd2 {
[%emt 0:04:16]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:10:19] Not having weakened the long diagonal,
Black is not forced to take the pawn.} (10... Qxb2 11. Nd4 Qa3 (11... Bxd4 12.
Rb1 Qa3 13. Bb4 Qa4 14. Qxd4 $16) (11... O-O 12. a3 Bxd4 13. Ra2 $14) 12. Nb5
Qa4 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Qh4 $44) 11. Bc3 {[%emt 0:03:30]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 12.
a3 {[%emt 0:07:49]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:31]} 13. Qe2 {[%emt 0:09:41]} O-O {[%emt 0:
02:54]} 14. Rad1 {[%emt 0:01:59]} d5 {[%emt 0:08:16][%csl Re5] The central
structure is reminiscent (with reversed colours) of the game Svidler-Gelfand
from the previous Candidates. Svidler met the Grьnfeld with an unusual setup
based on d4-e3-f4.} ({Black could not refrain from ...d7-d5 for too long:} 
14... Rac8 15. Bb5 d6 16. Qd2 {[%cal Gb2b4]}) 15. Bb5 {[%emt 0:01:30][%csl Ge5]
[%cal Gb5c6]} Na7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 16. a4 {[%emt 0:04:00] Quite a courageous
move.} (16. Ba6 {looks somewhat safer:} Nc6 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Bd4 {[%cal Ge2b5,
Gc2c4] with similar ideas to what happened in the game.}) 16... Bd6 {[%emt 0:
13:26] A bit passive.} (16... Nxb5 $5 17. axb5 Bd6 {[%cal Ge6e5] would have
allowed Black fighting for the initiative. Actually, the b7-bishop is far from
being passive. It inhibits the pawn break c2-c4 and defends the d5-pawn in
view of the desirable central expansion with ...e6-e5.} 18. Ne5 (18. Be5 Qc7
19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Rd2 Rac8 21. Rfd1 Rc5 {[%cal Gf8c8,Ge6e5]}) 18... Rac8 19. f4
(19. Bd4 Qc7 {[%cal Gd6e5,Gc7c2]}) 19... Rxc3 $1 {The critical move,
preventing White's consolidating with Bd4+/=.} 20. bxc3 Rc8 21. Qd3 Qc7 $44)
17. Ba6 $1 {[%emt 0:05:51]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:11:14]} 18. Bxb7 {[%emt 0:06:59]} Qxb7
{[%emt 0:00:11]} 19. b3 {[%emt 0:00:56][%cal Gc3b2,Gc2c4] The absence of the
black queen's bishop makes itself felt. White's play is more pleasant already,
since the centre is rather more vulnerable than threatening. After the
inevitable c2-c4, the black kingside will become vulnerable.} Qa6 {[%emt 0:03:
48]} 20. Qd2 {[%emt 0:06:49]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:06:45]} 21. Ng5 $6 {[%emt 0:05:34]
This knight incursion will eventually turn to White's favour, but in principle
it looks more like a waste of time.} (21. Ba1 {[%cal Gc2c4,Gd2b2] For concrete
reasons (c2-c4 and Qd2-b2) more promising than the retreat to b2)} Bb4 22. c3
Be7 23. c4 Rfd8 24. cxd5 Rxd5 25. Qb2 Bf6 26. Qb1 $14) 21... Rce8 $6 {[%emt 0:
02:11]} ({There was nothing to be defended on the f-file, so a more natural
rook display would have been} 21... Rfe8 {Maybe Black feared} 22. e4 fxe4 23.
Nxe4 {With the rook on f8, this would lose material to ...Bf4, but even the
way it is} Bf8 {[%cal Ga6b7,Gb7f7] leads to normal play for Black.}) 22. Bb2 {
[%emt 0:05:09]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 23. Nf3 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:02:
05]} 24. c3 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 25. c4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:27]}
dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:37]} ({In the absence of a rook on c8,} 25... Rd8 $2 26. cxd5
Rxd5 $2 {loses to} 27. Qc3 {[%csl Gc6]}) 26. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:28]} b5 {[%emt 0:
02:43]} 27. axb5 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Qxb5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 28. Rxc4 $14 {[%emt 0:
01:05][%csl Re6,Rg6]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:02:51]} 29. Ne5 {[%emt 0:03:20] The knight
will be left rather hanging in the centre, so maybe White should have kept
this move in reserve.} (29. Qe2 $5 $14 {[%cal Ge3e4]}) (29. Bd4 $14 {[%cal
Gd2c3]}) 29... Nd5 {[%emt 0:02:10]} 30. Qc2 {[%emt 0:04:15]} Bd6 $6 {[%emt 0:
00:47]} (30... Nb4 $1 {[%csl Gc6]}) 31. Nc6 $14 {[%emt 0:01:27]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:
01:26]} 32. Rd4 $4 {[%emt 0:01:40] An unusual blunder at this level (and even
at lower one!)} (32. Nd4 Qe5 33. Nf3 Qb5 34. Rc3 a4 $14 {Black liquidates the
queenside pawns, retaining a symbolically worse, but defensible position.})
32... Bxh2+ $1 {[%emt 0:03:03]} 33. Kxh2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Qxf1 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
34. Qc3 {[%emt 0:05:50]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 35. Ne5 $2 {[%emt 0:01:46]} Qxf2
{[%emt 0:02:45]} 36. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Qe2 {[%emt 0:01:57]} 37. Qd4 {
[%emt 0:01:07]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 38. Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:01:
20]} 39. Rg3 {[%emt 0:02:03]} f4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} 3. c4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 5. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:34]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 6. O-O {
[%emt 0:03:53]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:15] Decades ago, this was Black's main line in
the open Catalan. Fashion's wheel never stops turning and once again there
seems to be a lot of interest in this setup.} 7. dxc5 {[%emt 0:07:53] This
move and 7.Qa4 offer White a risk-free but only microscopically better
position.} ({The classic main line} 7. Ne5 {leads to more interesting play.})
7... Qxd1 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 8. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 9.
Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 10. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} O-O {
[%emt 0:00:14]} 11. Nb3 {[%emt 0:01:36] In the old days this was known to be
harmless.} ({The relatively unexplored} 11. Ne1 {yielded White a decisive win
in Gelfand,B (2758)-Ponomariov,R (2739) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 CBM 134 [Marin,M]
(1-0, 52), but it was partly due to the effect of surprise.}) 11... Be7 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} 12. c4 {[%emt 0:05:21] But this is a modern trend already.} ({
Earlier, White looked for his chances after} 12. Nfd4 Nxd4 $5 {A modern
treatment of the variation.} ({There does not seem to be anything wrong with
the old} 12... Bd7 {, though. Markowski,T (2524)-Kaidanov,G (2596) Moscow 2002
CBM 088 [Ribli] (0-1, 48)}) 13. cxd4 Nd5 14. Bd2 f5 15. Na5 b6 16. Nc6 Bf6 17.
Rac1 Bb7 18. Rc2 Rfc8 19. Rdc1 Kf7 20. e3 Ke8 $11 {Sasikiran,K (2676)
-Wojtaszek,R (2734) New Delhi 2012 (1/2-1/2, 41)}) 12... Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:51]
So far, both opponents had played fast, but now White took a 20 minute period
of thought.} 13. Bb2 {[%emt 0:20:29] This is the move played in the vast
majority of games.} (13. Be3 $5 {[%cal Gb3c5]} Rac8 (13... Rad8 $5 14. Nc5 $140
Bc8) 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. Bxc5 Rfd8 16. Rac1 b6 17. Ba3 Be8 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. c5 h6
20. cxb6 axb6 21. Bb2 Nd5 22. Ne1 Ra8 23. a3 b5 24. Nd3 $14 {Sargissian,G 
(2651)-Stern,R (2476) Dresden 2007 (1/2-1/2, 35)}) 13... Rfd8 {[%emt 0:00:29]}
(13... Rac8 $1 {is less accurate and allows} 14. c5 Nb8 (14... Rfd8 15. Nfd2 {
[%cal Gd2c4]}) 15. Ne5 Bc6 16. Nxc6 Nxc6 17. Rac1 $14 {Caruana,F (2712)-Bacrot,
E (2705) Rogaska Slatina 2011 (1-0, 51)}) 14. Nfd4 {[%emt 0:07:28]} (14. Ne5 {
is slightly more popular, but seems to lead to equality after} Rac8 15. c5 Nxe5
16. Bxe5 Bc6 {Tkachiev,V (2662)-Lu,S (2526) Jakarta 2012 (1/2-1/2, 36). There
is not much play left after White neutralises the pressure along the Catalan
diagonal.}) (14. c5 {does not work out so well as after 13...Rac8. Freed of
the task of defending the d7-bishop, the f6-knight can leap forward,
preventing the manoeuvre Nf3-d2-c4.} Ne4 $5 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Ne1 f5 $5 17. Nd3
Be8 {Both sides are harmoniously developed and an interesting fight lies ahead.
}) 14... Rac8 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 15. Nb5 {[%emt 0:00:11][%csl Gd6] After Black
has consolidated the c6-square, White switches to putting pressure on the dark
squares.} (15. Rac1 Be8 16. c5 Nxd4 {This is best played after c4-c5, when the
hanging c5-pawn forces White into taking with the bishop:} 17. Bxd4 {, which
fails to keep the pressure on c6, allowing} Bc6 $11 {Giri,A (2734)-Wang,Y 
(2723) Beijing 2013 (1/2-1/2, 35)}) (15. c5 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Bc6 $11 {Kramnik,V 
(2810)-Anand,V (2780) Zuerich 2013 (1/2-1/2, 41)}) 15... b6 {[%emt 0:00:46]
Preventing c4-c5.} (15... Be8 $6 {would allow White reveal the main idea of
the previous move.} 16. c5 $1 Rxd1+ 17. Rxd1 Nd8 18. Nd6 Bxd6 19. cxd6 $16 {
Caruana,F (2711)-Svidler,P (2739) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011 (0-1, 37)}) 16. Rac1 {
[%emt 0:03:44]} a5 {[%emt 0:03:24] Taking the pawn off the attacked square and
molesting the b3-knight slightly.} (16... Be8 {implies a pawn sacrifice.} 17.
Rxd8 Rxd8 18. Bxc6 Bxc6 19. Nxa7 Bb7 {Black's bishop pair and harmonious
development, combined with the relative weakness of White's queenside pawns
offer at least some compensation for the pawn. Still, it very much looks like
a one-way business.} 20. Bd4 Nd7 21. Nb5 Ra8 22. Rc2 Ra4 23. f3 f5 {Gelfand,B 
(2755)-Alekseev,E (2714) Jermuk 2009 (1/2-1/2, 39)}) 17. a4 {[%emt 0:09:04]}
Be8 {[%emt 0:00:32] There is no counter-indication to this regrouping retreat
now.} 18. Rxd8 {[%emt 0:07:30]} Rxd8 $146 {[%emt 0:07:06] The main idea behind
this new move seems to be controlling the d-file in order to inhibit the
immediate break c4-c5.} (18... Nxd8 19. c5 $1 bxc5 20. Nxa5 Nd5 21. Nc4 $14 {
Delchev,A (2622)-Llanes Hurtado,M (2469) Haguenau 2013 (1-0, 39)}) 19. h3 {
[%emt 0:00:31] White spent less than a minute on this slightly mysterious move,
possibly meaning that he had analysed Black's move at home. The idea must be
ensuring the king against back rank problems.} (19. c5 {is not too effective
now:} bxc5 20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21. Rxc5 Rd1+ 22. Bf1 Ne4 23. Rc1 Rxc1 24. Bxc1 Nc5
$11) ({White could prepare it with} 19. Nc7 {, but it still does not seem to
work.} Bd7 20. c5 bxc5 21. Nxc5 Nb4 22. Nxd7 Nxd7 {[%cal Gd7c5]} 23. Bd4 Rc8
24. Bb7 Rb8 25. Bf3 Rc8 $11) 19... Nb4 {[%emt 0:17:21] A proper way of
anticipating c4-c5. By now, both players had started taking their time. Black
thought for 17 minutes on the previous move and White replied after 20 minutes!
} (19... Rc8 $5 20. c5 $140 bxc5 21. Nxc5 Nb4) 20. c5 {[%emt 0:20:22]} ({
Black seems to hold his own on dark squares after} 20. Bd4 Nd7 $1 (20... Rb8
21. Be5 Rc8 22. Bb7 Rd8 23. c5 bxc5 24. Bc7 Rd7 25. Nxc5 $36) 21. Nc7 Rc8 22.
Nxe8 Rxe8 23. c5 bxc5 (23... Nxc5 24. Bxc5 bxc5 25. Nxa5 $14 {[%cal Ga5c4,
Ra4a5,Yg2a8]}) 24. Be3 (24. Bb2 Nb6) (24. Nxc5 Nxc5 25. Bxc5 Na2 $11) 24... Nd5
25. Bd2 N7b6 $11) 20... bxc5 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 21. Nxa5 {[%emt 0:06:35]} Nfd5 {
[%emt 0:09:42] As it turns out, Black was well prepared for the queenside
break. All his minor pieces are controlling important squares on that wing,
neutralising the dangers connected with the passed a-pawn.} 22. Nb7 {[%emt 0:
02:37]} (22. Nc4 Ra8 {[%csl Ga4,Gb5]}) 22... Rb8 {[%emt 0:01:37]} (22... Ra8 $5
{also looks fine.}) 23. Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Bxb5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 24. axb5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxb5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 25. Ne4 $11 {[%emt 0:05:29] White has
the bishop pair, but with pawns on just one wing Black did not face major
trouble in holding a draw.} f6 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 26. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Rc5 {
[%emt 0:01:48]} 27. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Rxc1+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Bxc1 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 29. g4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} g5 {[%emt 0:01:
03]} 30. Be4 {[%emt 0:02:44]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 31. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nd5
{[%emt 0:03:04]} 32. e3 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:01:24]} 33. Bc2 {[%emt 0:
00:36]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 34. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 35.
Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:22]} h5 {[%emt 0:02:29]} 36. Kd3 {[%emt 0:02:25]} hxg4 {
[%emt 0:02:37]} 37. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nc7 {[%emt 0:02:54]} 38. Bb2 {
[%emt 0:00:41]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 39. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:01:
13]} 40. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Nc7
{[%emt 0:00:57]} 42. f4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} gxf4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 43. exf4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 44. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Bxf4 {[%emt 0:
02:20]} 45. Bf5+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} Kg5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 46. Bxf6+ {[%emt 0:00:
28]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Be7
{[%emt 0:01:37]} 5. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:14]} 6. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:09]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 7. Ne5 {[%emt 0:05:29]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:03:15]} 8.
Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qe8 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 10. Nxe7+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qxe7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 11. Na3 {
[%emt 0:00:14] This way of developing the knight to retrieve the pawn is
common in the Catalan, but mainly in positions where ...Bxa3 is possible.
Curiously, in this position, in which there is no black dark-squared bishop
anymore, it is quite rare.} (11. Qc2 {Kramnik,V (2810)-Carlsen,M (2872) London
2013 (1/2-1/2, 41)}) 11... c5 {[%emt 0:13:40] Taking into account the surprise,
Anand played relatively fast, after less than a quarter of an hour. Back
immediately gets rid of his backward pawn.} (11... Rd8 {is a logical
alternative, but it offers White chances to retain the better striucture while
more or less neutralising Black's play on the light squares.} 12. Qc2 Ba6 (
12... Rxd4 13. Be3 Rd5 14. Nxc4 {[%cal Gf2f3,Gb2b3]}) 13. Nxc4 Rxd4 14. Ne5 Rd5
(14... Bb7 15. Nc6 Bxc6 16. Qxc6 $14) 15. Qc6 Rad8 16. Qxa6 $14) 12. dxc5 {
[%emt 0:01:50]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 13. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qh5 {[%emt 0:16:
39] Played after 16 minutes. Black had a relatively wide choice, indeed.} (
13... Qc7 14. Rc1 Ba6 15. Qa4 Qb7 16. Nxc4 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Qxb2 18. Bd4 $14) (
13... Qc6 14. Rc1 Ba6 15. Nxc4 Bxc4 16. b3 Bxb3 17. Rxc6 Bxd1 18. Rxd1 $14) (
13... Qb4 $5 {Omelka,R (2115)-Dobes,V (2061) Czechia 2011 (1/2-1/2, 40)}) 14.
f3 {[%emt 0:01:34]} (14. Nxc4 Ba6 15. b3 Ng4 16. h4 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Rad8 18. Qc2
Bb7 $36) 14... c3 $1 {[%emt 0:05:48][%csl Ra3] The point of the previous move.
It is not really unusual for Black to have a pawn less in the 7.Ne5 variation.
Due to the somewhat awkward position of the a3-knight and the vulnerable
c-pawn, Black has good chances of maintaining aproximate equality by dynamic
means. Compare also with c5-c6 from Karjakin-Anand.} 15. bxc3 {[%emt 0:02:57]}
Qa5 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 16. Qc1 {[%emt 0:12:21]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:02:37][%csl Rc3]
[%cal Ga8c8]} 17. c4 {[%emt 0:03:12]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:03:12] (!!) Choosing the
right rook for a certain file is one of the most difficult issues in chess.
Anand rightly decides that he will need the other rook on the d-file. And
remarkably, he used only 3 minutes on his last move, although it leaves the
a7-pawn undefended!} (17... Rfc8 {would offer White chances to keep his extra
pawn and a relatively active position.} 18. Rd1 Nd5 19. Rd4 Rc6 20. Kg2 Rac8
21. Bd2 Qb6 22. Rh4 $14) 18. Bxa7 $11 {[%emt 0:26:34] After nearly half an
hour, Kramnik decides to liquidate into a draw.} ({After} 18. Rd1 Nd5 19. Rd4 {
the difference is revealed by} Rfd8 $1 {The latent pressure on the d-file
restricts White's active possibilities.} 20. Bf2 (20. Kg2 $4 Nxe3+ 21. Qxe3
Rxd4 22. Qxd4 Qxa3 $19) (20. Rd3 $5 Nxe3 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Qxe3 Rd2) 20... h6
$5 {Just a useful waiting move. For instance,} 21. Kg2 {would expose the king
slightly, adding effect to} e5 {(again, this would not be possible without a
rook on d8).} 22. Rd3 e4 $132) 18... Bxc4 {[%emt 0:02:55]} 19. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:
00:18]} Qxa7+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} 20. Qe3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qa6 {[%emt 0:00:45]}
21. Ne5 {[%emt 0:08:06] Two rounds later, in the aforementioned game with
Karjakin, Anand once again got a position in which White's extra a2-pawn was
not too relevant. Only that here it will liquidate rather soon into a 0.00
position.} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:50][%csl Gc2]} 22. Nd3 {[%emt 0:07:32]} Nd5 {
[%emt 0:02:06]} 23. Qf2 {[%emt 0:04:01]} Rxa2 {[%emt 0:07:37]} 24. Rxa2 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxa2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 25. e4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Qa3 {[%emt 0:00:
26]} 26. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 27. dxe6 {[%emt 0:00:18]}
fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 28. Qe1 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 29. Qe3 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 30. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxf3 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} 31. Qxe6+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg4 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. c4 {[%emt 0:02:
24]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. cxd5 {[%emt 0:03:14]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:40]
Svidler's Reti set-up was anything but dangerous to Aronian. Using a well
known plan to gift the pair of bishops in return for a symmetrical position
with no weaknesses Aronian was able to hold equality with almost no problems.
Only one open file meant that all the major pieces were traded off on the c1
square and the ensuing endgame with two bishops against a knight and a bishop
gave just a symbolic advantage to the Russian player who decided not to press
the issue too much.} 6. Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 7. O-O {
[%emt 0:03:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:08]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:
34]} 9. d4 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 10. e3 {[%emt 0:01:36]} O-O {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 11. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 12. Rc1 $146 {
[%emt 0:02:08]} (12. Qe2 Rac8 13. Bg2 Bb4 14. Rfc1 Na5 15. a3 Bxc3 16. Rxc3
Rxc3 17. Bxc3 Nb3 18. Rd1 a5 19. f3 b5 20. Bf1 Rb8 21. Qc2 a4 22. Bb4 Ne8 23.
Rd3 g6 24. Rc3 Kg7 25. Rc6 Qd8 26. Kg2 Na5 27. Rc5 Nd6 28. Qc3 Nac4 29. Kf2 Qf6
30. Bd3 Nf5 31. Bxc4 bxc4 32. Ra5 g5 33. Kg2 Qg6 34. Rxa4 g4 35. f4 Nxe3+ 36.
Qxe3 Qc2+ 37. Kg1 Qxa4 38. Qe5+ f6 39. Qxb8 Qd1+ 40. Kg2 Qc2+ 41. Kg1 Qb1+ {
Neckar,L (2337)-Tichy,V (2260) Czechia 2010 1/2-1/2}) 12... Rfc8 {[%emt 0:00:
16]} 13. Bg2 {[%emt 0:05:05]} Ne8 {[%emt 0:03:47]} 14. Qe2 {[%emt 0:07:47]} Nd6
{[%emt 0:06:48]} 15. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:01:49]} 16. Be1 {
[%emt 0:06:06]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:02:59]} 17. b3 {[%emt 0:05:30]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:19:
43][%cal Ga8c8] Svidler was probably not too happy with Aronian's ultra solid
choice} 18. Na4 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 19. Nc5 {[%emt 0:03:51]}
Qe8 {[%emt 0:01:35]} 20. Qb2 {[%emt 0:03:06]} R6c7 {[%emt 0:18:32]} 21. a4 {
[%emt 0:05:34]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:02:53]} 22. b4 {[%emt 0:08:06]} Nb8 {[%emt 0:05:
16]} 23. b5 {[%emt 0:06:44] He pushed all his queenside pawns, but even that
expansion didn't amount to any advantage} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 24. Qb1 {
[%emt 0:03:54]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:07:51]} 25. Nd3 {[%emt 0:05:04]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:06:
40]} 26. Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 27. Qxc1 {[%emt 0:01:09]}
Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 28. Qd1 {[%emt 0:05:20]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:03:09]} 29. Bf1 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:05:22]} 30. Ne5 {[%emt 0:03:12]} Nbc4 {[%emt 0:02:
38]} 31. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Nxc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 32. Qc2 {[%emt 0:01:45]}
Nb6 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 33. Qxc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} b6 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:10]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 6. d4 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:
21]} 8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 9. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nbd7 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 10. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 11. Rac1 {
[%emt 0:00:37]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 12. b3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:13]
} 13. Qh4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:29] The most popular move.} ({
Something might have bothered Karjakin during this game, though, since
slightly later, in two of his games from the Gashimov Memorial, he switched to
} 13... Re8) 14. g4 $5 {[%emt 0:00:18] An ambitious move, aiming to weaken
Black's control over the d5-square and gain kingside space. Its drawback is
that the queen might have problems getting back into the play properly after
g4-g5, ...Nh5.} (14. Bh3 {Meier,G (2668)-Danin,A (2556) Dresden 2012 EXT 2014 
[Gutman,L] (1-0, 38)}) (14. Bh6 {Karpov,A (2688)-Gelfand,B (2704) Cap d'Agde
2002 CBM 092 [Stohl,I] (0-1, 40)}) 14... Rc8 {[%emt 0:02:21] Typical for
modern chess. Black willingly loses two tempi, considering that g3-g4-g5
rather weakens White's position.} (14... h6 {Kramnik,V (2751)-Karpov,A (2710)
Dos Hermanas 1999 CBM 071 [Stohl,I] (1/2-1/2, 33)}) (14... Qa8 15. g5 Ne4 (
15... Nh5 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. cxd5 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 $5 {[%cal Gf3d4,Gd4c6]} Qxd5 19.
Rc7 $36) 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5 Nec5 {Weber,U (2413)-Eingorn,V (2562) Bad
Wiessee 2010 (1/2-1/2, 44)} 18. Rd2 Qb8 19. Nd4 Rfc8 20. Rdc2 $14) (14... b5
15. g5 Nh5 16. Nd5 Rc8 (16... Bxd5 17. cxd5 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 Qa5 {Hamdouchi,H 
(2535)-Solozhenkin,E (2506) France 2001 (1/2-1/2, 24)} 19. Rc2 $16 {[%cal
Ge3d2,Gf3d4,Gd4c6]}) 17. Nd4 bxc4 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Bxb7 $16 {Kraai,J (2514)
-Browne,W (2449) San Francisco 2012 (1-0, 38)}) 15. g5 $146 {[%emt 0:00:07]} ({
Karjakin had faced} 15. Bh3 b5 16. cxb5 (16. g5 Nh5 {would transpose to the
analysis below.}) 16... Qa5 17. Bd2 Bxf3 18. exf3 axb5 19. g5 b4 20. gxf6 ({
In a later move White deviated with the more consistent} 20. Na4 Ne5 21. Bg2
Nd5 22. f4 Nd7 $13 {Banusz,T (2593)-Sargissian,G (2676) Warsaw 2013 (1/2-1/2,
53)}) 20... Bxf6 21. Qe4 bxc3 22. Bxd7 Rcd8 23. Bxc3 Bxc3 24. Qxe7 d5 25. Bb5
d4 $44 {Jakovenko,D (2729)-Karjakin,S (2766) Sochi 2012 CBM 148 [Karjakin,S] 
(0-1, 53)}) 15... Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 16. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} (16. Bh3 b5 {
Despite the strong pressure in the centre, White has no constructive way of
taking the initiative.} 17. c5 {After this resolute move, Black can sacrifice
the exchange and even the queen. The justification is always that the white
queen has restricted mobility.} (17. Nd2 {[%cal Gh3g4]} Be5 {[%cal Gh5g7]} 18.
f4 Bxc3 $5 19. Rxc3 Qa5 20. Rc2 Rc7 21. f5 Ne5 {It is not entirely clear yet
if White can use his dark-squared bishop for attacking purposes, while
otherwise Black is doing fine.}) 17... Rxc5 $1 18. Bxc5 Nxc5 19. Nd5 (19. Nxb5
{can be met in many ways, but I prefer:} axb5 20. Rxc5 dxc5 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 $44
22. Bf1 Bxf3 23. exf3 Rd4 24. Qh3 e6 $44 {[%csl Gh3]} 25. Bxb5 $2 Rd1+ 26. Bf1
Nf4 27. Qg4 Be5 $19 28. a4 h5 29. gxh6 Kh7 30. a5 f5 31. Qh4 g5 32. Qxg5 Nh3+)
19... e6 20. Rxc5 dxc5 21. Nf6+ Bxf6 22. Rxd8 Bxd8 $44 {[%cal Gh7h6]}) 16...
Rc7 {[%emt 0:24:28][%cal Gd8a8] The rook returns to this square after the
circumstances have changed. It took Karjakin nearly half an hour to decide
upon this move, quite understandably.} (16... Bb2 17. Rc2 Bh8 {Hoping to
transfer the knight to f5, but sadly this is not possible.} 18. Ng3 Ng7 $6 19.
Ne5 $1 Bxg2 20. Ng4 $1 $16 {[%csl Gg8][%cal Gg4h6]}) (16... Qc7 17. Ng3 $14)
17. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nxg3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 18. hxg3 $14 {[%emt 0:00:04]
White has improved his positon and has some potential threats along the h-file}
Qa8 {[%emt 0:03:02]} 19. Ne1 {[%emt 0:10:28]} ({The straightforward} 19. Kh2
Rfc8 20. Rh1 b5 21. Kg1 Nf8 {does not yield anything. As we will see, Topalov
intended to make use of the h-file in another way.}) (19. Bh3 $5 Bxf3 (19...
Nc5 20. Nd4 $14) 20. exf3 Ne5 21. Bg2 Nxf3+ 22. Bxf3 Qxf3 23. Bxb6 Rc6 24. Be3
$14 {[%cal Gh4h1,Gd1d5,Gd5a5]}) 19... Nc5 {[%emt 0:17:20]} 20. Qh1 {[%emt 0:02:
08] Cornering the queen is typical for openings with reduced space. For
instance, Black sometimes resorts to this kind of regrouping. As a recent
example we can take the third game from the Carlsen-Anand match. But in that
game, too, Black had no space at all and this regrouping was some sort of
desperate way of staying in the game. And yet, Topalov's move is strong, since
despite his space advantage, the queen needed redeploying.} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:08:
13]} 21. Bxb7 $6 {[%emt 0:07:44] It is always a good question what to do when
bishops are in tension this way. In this case, I feel that releasing the
tension only helps Black improve his position slightly. Mainly, it allows him
to defend the b6-pawn.} ({I would prefer carrying out the same plan as in the
game without exchanging bishops. Let Black do it!} 21. Nd3 Nxd3 22. exd3 b5 (
22... Bxg2 23. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 24. Kxg2 Rb7 25. a4 f6 26. gxf6 Bxf6 {White is a
couple of tempi ahead of the game position, which he can exploit with, say,}
27. g4 h5 28. Rh1 hxg4 29. Kg3 $14) 23. Bxb7 Rxb7 24. d4 bxc4 25. Rxc4 Rbb8 (
25... Rxc4 26. bxc4 Rb8 27. Qxa8 Rxa8 28. Rb1 Rc8 29. c5 $14) 26. Qxa8 Rxa8 27.
Rdc1 Rxc4 28. Rxc4 $14) 21... Qxb7 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 22. Qxb7 {[%emt 0:00:58]}
Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 23. Nd3 {[%emt 0:12:40][%cal Gd3b4,Gb4d5]} Nxd3 {[%emt 0:
17:12]} (23... a5 24. Nf4 $14) 24. exd3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} f6 $132 {[%emt 0:01:
06] Black gradually solves his problems now.} 25. gxf6 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Bxf6 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 26. a4 $5 {[%emt 0:02:36][%csl Rb6,Ge3]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:48]} (
26... a5 27. Kg2 h5 28. g4 $5) 27. b4 {[%emt 0:03:23]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 28.
Kg2 {[%emt 0:01:01]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:10:21]} 29. Kf3 {[%emt 0:07:50]} (29. g4 $2
hxg4 30. Kg3 Kf5 $15) 29... Rf8 {[%emt 0:03:56]} 30. Ke2 {[%emt 0:02:16]} Kf5 {
[%emt 0:05:37]} 31. f3 {[%emt 0:00:47]} g5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:51] The game has not
gone White's way. Black is absolutely fine.} 32. Rh1 {[%emt 0:03:18]} Kg6 {
[%emt 0:02:03]} (32... h4 33. Kf2) 33. Rc2 {[%emt 0:03:41]} e5 {[%emt 0:01:23]}
34. b5 {[%emt 0:06:20]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:04:22]} 35. a5 $6 {[%emt 0:03:30] Too
ambitious and looking for trouble actually.} bxa5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 36. b6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 37. Rb1 {[%emt 0:01:57]} Rab8 {[%emt 0:02:
42]} 38. Ra2 {[%emt 0:01:46]} Bxb6 $1 {[%emt 0:05:33]} 39. Rab2 {[%emt 0:01:00]
} Bxe3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} (39... a4 40. Rxb6 $1 (40. c5 $2 dxc5 41. Bxc5 Bxc5 42.
Rxb7 Rxb7 43. Rxb7 a5 $1 {[%cal Gc5b4,Ga4a3]} 44. Rc7 Bb4 45. Rc2 a3 {[%cal
Gg6f5]} 46. g4 h4 47. Ke3 h3 48. Ke4 Be1 {[%cal Ge1g3,Gh3h2]} 49. Ra2 Bc3 $1
$19) (40. Bxb6 a3 $17) 40... Rxb6 41. Rxb6 Rxb6 42. Bxb6 a3 43. Ba5 a2 44. Bc3
$11) 40. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:17]}
Bc5 $15 {[%emt 0:00:30] Only Black can play here.} 42. Rb8 {[%emt 0:12:41]} a4
{[%emt 0:00:18]} 43. Kd1 {[%emt 0:10:44]} h4 {[%emt 0:05:09]} 44. Rg8+ {
[%emt 0:03:18]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:01:08]} 45. g4 {[%emt 0:02:29]} Bf2 {[%emt 0:18:
35]} (45... Bg1 {[%cal Gh4h2,Ge5e4,Gf6e5,Ge5f4]} 46. Rf8+ $1 (46. Rh8 e4 $1 47.
fxe4 Ke5) 46... Ke7 47. Rg8 Be3 48. Rg6 Bf4 49. Rh6 a3 50. Kc2 $11) (45... e4
46. fxe4 Ke5 47. Rf8 Kd4 48. Kc2 a3 49. Rf3 $11) 46. Rh8 {[%emt 0:02:17]} Kg7 {
[%emt 0:03:22]} 47. Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:02:59]} 48. Kc2 {[%emt 0:
03:10]} Bd4 {[%emt 0:01:21]} 49. Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} a3 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 50.
Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bb2 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 51. Kb3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Bc1 {
[%emt 0:03:33]} 52. Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Bb2 {[%emt 0:03:32]} 53. Kb3 {[%emt 0:
00:13]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 54. Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 55.
Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 56. Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Bb2 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 57. Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 e6 8. Ne5
Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Nd7 {An interesting way to handle the opening. Black
delays the development of the Ng8 for a while. In some cases, keeping an
option of Ng8-e7 in mind.} 11. f4 Bb4+ 12. c3 Be7 13. Bd2 Ngf6 ({I can hardly
recommend the greedy} 13... Bxh4 $6 14. O-O-O Bxg3 15. Qxg3 Kf8 16. c4 $36) 14.
O-O-O O-O 15. Qf3 $1 {This is definitely the most dangerous plan. White
retains a lot of attacking ideas, such as f4-f5 and g2-g4-g5 (after removing
the knight from g3), while developing any serious counterplay on the opposite
side looks quite difficult at this moment. In my opinion, the character of the
position is quite unpleasant for Black, so it is not surprising, that the
World Champion didn't decide to repeat this system again in the match.} ({
Vishy deviates from} 15. Ne4 {which didn't pose Black any problems after} Nxe4
16. Qxe4 Nxe5 17. fxe5 Qd5 18. Qxd5 cxd5 19. h5 b5 20. Rh3 a5 21. Rf1 Rac8 22.
Rg3 Kh7 23. Rgf3 Kg8 24. Rg3 Kh7 25. Rgf3 Kg8 {1/2-1/2 Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,
M (2870)/Chennai IND 2013}) 15... Qc7 16. c4 {An important move. Now White is
ready to meet 16...c6 by 17.d5.} a5 {This looks rather slow, but I can hardly
suggest anything better.} (16... c5 17. d5 Bd6 (17... exd5 18. Nf5 $40) 18.
Nxd7 Nxd7 19. Nh5 $40) (16... Rac8 17. Kb1 b5 18. Rc1 (18. c5 Nd5 19. Nh5 N7f6
20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. g4 Bxe5 22. fxe5 f6 23. exf6 Rxf6 24. Qe4 $14) 18... bxc4
19. Rxc4 c5 20. Rhc1 $14) 17. Kb1 Rad8 (17... a4 18. Ne2 h5 (18... c5 19. g4
cxd4 20. g5 $40) 19. Ng3 g6 20. f5 exf5 21. Nxf5 gxf5 22. Qxf5 $40) 18. Bc1 $1
{Completing the most flexible setup.} ({Correctly not hurrying with} 18. Ne2 h5
$1 19. Ng3 g6 $132) 18... a4 $146 {A novelty which doesn't solve Black's
problems.} (18... Rfe8 19. Ne2 (19. Rhe1 $5) 19... c5 (19... h5 $5) 20. g4 cxd4
21. g5 $40 {1-0 Topalov,V (2707)-Dreev,A (2676)/New Delhi/Teheran 2000/CBM 081/
[Lukacs] (44)}) 19. Rhe1 {Now the threat of 20.f5 is unpleasant, so Black is
under pressure.} (19. Rhf1 Bd6 $1 (19... c5 20. d5 Bd6 21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. dxe6+
Kxe6 23. Rfe1+ Kf7 24. Nf5 Nb6 25. Qg3 Rg8 26. h5 $36) (19... Rfe8 20. Nh5 Nxh5
21. Qxh5 Rf8 (21... Nxe5 22. fxe5 Bf8 23. Rd3 g6 24. Qg4 h5 25. Qg5) 22. Rd3
Nf6 23. Qe2 Nd7 24. Rg3 $36) 20. Ne2 h5 21. g4 hxg4 22. Nxg4 Nxg4 23. Qxg4 f5
24. Qg6 Rf6 25. Qg2 Bf8 $132) 19... a3 ({The standard measures like} 19... Bd6
{are too slow:} 20. Ne2 c5 21. Nc3 cxd4 22. Nb5 Qb8 23. Nxd6 Qxd6 24. g4 $40) (
{I can only suggest} 19... Rfe8 $5 {as a possible improvement} 20. Ne2 h5 (
20... c5 21. g4 cxd4 22. g5 Nxe5 23. fxe5 Nd7 24. Nxd4 $40) 21. c5 g6 22. Nc3 {
The position still looks somewhat better for White, but it remains quite
complicated.}) 20. b3 Bb4 {A logical continuation of Black's previous play,
but Black can hardly make any use of his control over the dark squares around
the Kb1.} 21. Re3 $1 {As we can see, the rook would be very useful there.} ({
The modest} 21. Rf1 $6 {could be strongly met by} c5 22. Ne2 b5 $1 (22... h5
23. Nd3 Ng4 24. dxc5 Bxc5 25. Rfe1 Be7 26. Nc3 $14) 23. g4 (23. cxb5 Nxe5 24.
dxe5 Nd5 $44) 23... bxc4 24. Nxc4 (24. g5 cxb3 25. gxf6 bxa2+ 26. Kxa2 Nxf6
$132) 24... Nd5 25. g5 h5 $132) 21... c5 (21... Bd6 22. Red3 $14) 22. d5 $1
exd5 23. cxd5 $6 {This natural move is actually a loss of important time!} ({
A much stronger move would be} 23. Nf5 $1 d4 (23... dxc4 24. Rxd7 Rxd7 25. Qg3
Ne8 (25... g6 26. Nxh6+ Kg7 27. f5 $18) 26. Nxc4 Qc6 27. Rxe8 Qf6 28. Re5 $16)
24. Re2 Kh8 25. g4 $40 {and Black's extra pawn doesn't help much - the attack
is very powerful.}) 23... Nb6 $1 24. Red3 ({Now} 24. Nf5 {is not strong
anymore and leads only to equality:} Nbxd5 25. Qg3 Nh5 26. Nxh6+ Kh7 27. Qg5
gxh6 28. Qf5+ Kg7 29. Rxd5 Rxd5 30. Qxh5 Rd6 31. Rg3+ Kh7 32. Qf5+ Kh8 33. Ng6+
Rxg6 34. Rxg6 fxg6 35. Qxf8+ Kh7 $11) 24... Qc8 $2 {A very bad decision by
Dmitry. Letting White push such a strong pawn forward could lead to a fatal
result.} ({At the same time, after} 24... Nbxd5 $1 25. Rxd5 Rxd5 26. Rxd5 Nxd5
27. Qxd5 Rd8 {Andreikin could change the unpleasant character of play. For
instance, after} 28. Qc4 (28. Qf3 f6 29. Nc4 Qe7 30. Nxa3 Bxa3 31. Bxa3 Qe1+
32. Bc1 Rd1 33. Ne2 Qd2 34. Qe4 Re1 35. Qe8+ Kh7 36. Qe4+ $11) 28... Rd1 (28...
Rd4 $5) 29. Ne4 Rd4 30. Qc2 f6 $132 {White is not yet risk-free.}) 25. d6 Rfe8
$6 {Too slow. Now White is totally winning.} ({A pawn sacrifice was called for:
} 25... Qe6 26. Qxb7 c4 27. Nxc4 Rb8 28. Qa6 Nxc4 29. Qxc4 Qxc4 30. bxc4 Bxd6+
31. Kc2 Bc7 $16 {and Black has some drawing chances due to the weakness of
White's pawns.}) 26. Nh5 $1 $18 Re6 ({Or} 26... Qf5 27. Nxf6+ Qxf6 28. Qxb7 Rb8
29. d7 Red8 30. Qc6 Qxh4 31. Rh3 Qe7 32. Re3 $18) (26... Nxh5 27. Qxh5 Qe6 28.
d7 $18) 27. Nxf6+ ({Missing} 27. d7 $1 Qc7 (27... Nbxd7 28. Nxf6+ Rxf6 29. Nxd7
$18) (27... Nfxd7 28. Qg4 g6 29. Nxf7 Kxf7 30. f5 $18) 28. f5 Rxe5 29. Nxf6+
gxf6 30. Bxh6 $18) 27... Rxf6 28. d7 Qc7 29. Qg4 $1 {Now Black's pieces are
stuck on the queenside and cannot help their monarch.} c4 {A desperate attempt
to create any kind of counterplay.} 30. Rg3 g6 31. h5 cxb3 32. Rxb3 Na4 {
This sacrifice is necessary.} 33. hxg6 fxg6 (33... Nc3+ 34. Rxc3 Bxc3 35. gxf7+
Kh7 36. Qg8+ Rxg8 37. fxg8=Q+ Kxg8 38. d8=Q+ $18) 34. Rxb4 (34. Rd4 {was also
good enough:} Nc3+ 35. Ka1 Nd5 36. Rc4 Bc5 37. Bxa3 $18) 34... Nc3+ 35. Kc2 (
35. Ka1 $2 Nxd1 36. Rc4 Qd6 $14) 35... b5 $5 {The best practical chance. Black
is trying to complicate matters.} (35... Nxd1+ 36. Rc4 Qd6 37. Qxd1 $18) 36.
Kb3 {A human move.} ({However, there are at least 2 other winning possibilites:
} 36. Rc4 bxc4 37. Kxc3 Qa5+ 38. Kxc4 (38. Kc2 Qa4+ 39. Kd2 Qb4+ 40. Ke2 Qb1
41. Qf3 Qxa2+ 42. Rd2 $18) 38... Qa4+ 39. Kc3 Qa5+ 40. Kd3 Qb5+ 41. Ke3 Qc5+
42. Ke2 $18) (36. Bd2 Nxd1+ 37. Kxd1 $18) 36... Na4 37. Qf3 {This move is not
bad at all} ({but} 37. Bd2 {didn't require much calculating:} Nc5+ 38. Kxa3
Nxd7 39. Kb2 $18) 37... Nc5+ 38. Kc2 Na4+ 39. Kb3 {Accepting a draw in such a
winning position is quite surprising, but I guess Vishy was tired after a long
game, so he decided to avoid any unnecessary risk in such an excellent
tournament situation. In fact, the loss of half a point in this game didn't
have any influence on Vishy, as he managed to win the tournament in great
style!} ({Still, the winning lines were not trivial, but not too difficult for
such a great player:} 39. Rc4 bxc4 40. Bxa3 Kh7 41. Be7 Qb8 42. Qa3 Qb7 43.
Bxd8 Qe4+ 44. Kc1 Qxf4+ 45. Kb1 Qf5+ 46. Nd3 cxd3 47. Qxd3 $18) ({Or} 39. Kd2
Qd6+ 40. Nd3 Rf7 (40... Rxd7 41. Bxa3 Nb2 42. Rxb2 Qxa3 43. Kc1 Rfd6 44. Nf2
$18) (40... Nc5 41. Rxb5 Nxd3 42. Rd5 $18) 41. Bxa3 Rfxd7 42. Rb3 Qf6 43. Rc1
b4 44. Bxb4 Nb2 45. Rcc3 Nxd3 46. Rxd3 Rxd3+ 47. Rxd3 Qb2+ 48. Kd1 Qb1+ 49. Ke2
Re8+ 50. Re3 Rxe3+ 51. Qxe3 Qxb4 52. Qb3+ $18) 39... Nc5+ 40. Kc2 Na4+ 41. Kb3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 Be7 7. e3 Nbd7 8. h3
{In this concrete position this move is very rare.} ({The main continuation is
} 8. Bd3 {and here} Nh5 {is one of the options.} {After} 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 {White
doesn't have to play h2-h3, but can make a developing move} 10. Nge2 {So, it's
a slightly preferable version for White than in the game.}) 8... Nh5 {A
standard idea in this opening. The knight, obviously, has nothing it can
achieve on h5 and will have to go back soon. However, the exchange of dark
-squared bishops allows Black to complete his development more comfortably.} 9.
Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nf3 Nb6 11. O-O-O Nf6 (11... g6 12. g4 Ng7 13. Ne5 f6 14. Nd3 Be6
15. Re1 O-O-O 16. Na4 Nxa4 17. Qxa4 Kb8 18. Be2 Bf7 19. Qb4 Qxb4 20. Nxb4 h5
$11 {1/2-1/2 (27) Topalov,V (2702)-Sokolov,I (2637) Sarajevo 2000}) 12. Bd3 Be6
{The players reached the position, which has appeared numerous times
beforehand, by a slightly unusual order of moves.} 13. Kb1 O-O-O {Black
wouldn't be able to castle to the queenside so easily if the dark-squared
bishops were still on the board. Russian grandmaster Alexey Dreev has a lot of
experience handling this position.} (13... O-O $6 {would be very risky. After}
14. g4 {White's potential kingside assault is dangerous.}) 14. Ka1 Kb8 15. Rc1
(15. Rb1 Ne8 16. Nd2 Nd6 17. Nb3 Qf6 18. Nc5 Bf5 19. Bxf5 Qxf5 20. Qe2 h5 21.
a4 Nd7 22. b4 Nc4 $15 {1-0 (78) Jobava,B (2601)-Dreev,A (2694) Beersheba 2005})
15... Ne8 16. Na4 Nd6 17. Nc5 g6 18. h4 $146 (18. g4 h5 $6 (18... Nd7 $142) 19.
Ne5 Ndc4 20. Bxc4 dxc4 21. Qe4 $14 {1-0 (60) Ikonnikov,V (2558)-Barua,D (2462)
Dieren 2007}) ({Here, and on the next move White could try to put pressure on
the queenside:} 18. a4 $1 Nd7 19. a5 {The following lines illustrate White's
potential:} a6 (19... Nxc5 20. dxc5 Nc4 21. b3 $1 Qf6+ (21... Nxa5 22. Nd4 $16
{[%csl Ya5]}) 22. Nd4 Ne5 23. a6 $16) (19... Rc8 {is probably the best, but
also here after} 20. Qa4 {White is in possession of some initiative.}) 20. Bxa6
$1 Nxc5 (20... bxa6 $2 21. Nxa6+ Ka7 22. Qxc6 Rc8 23. Nc7 Nc4 24. Rxc4 $1 dxc4
25. Ne5 $1 Qd8 26. Qa6+ Kb8 27. Nxe6 fxe6 28. Qb5+ Ka7 29. Nxd7 $18) 21. dxc5
Nc4 22. Qb3 Nxa5 23. Qb4 Qc7 24. Nd4 $16) 18... Bc8 19. h5 $6 {Levon is
consistent, but clearly underestimated Black's reply. In general, I think that
White should create some activity on the other side of the board, where
Black's king is hiding.} (19. a4 $1 Ka8 ({Black can't swap the bishops
comfortably:} 19... Bf5 20. Bxf5 Nxf5 21. a5 Nc4 22. Qa4 $36 a6 $6 23. Rhe1 $16
{[%cal Ge3e4]}) (19... Nd7 20. a5 a6 21. Na4 $14) 20. Nd2 Nd7 ({Again} 20...
Bf5 $6 {is bad in view of} 21. Bxf5 Nxf5 $2 (21... gxf5 {is necessary, but it
means that Black just spoiled his structure for nothing}) 22. a5 Nd7 (22... Nc8
23. a6 b6 24. Nb7 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rd8]}) {[%tqu "En","How should White
proceed?","","","c5b7","",10]} 23. Nxb7 $1 Kxb7 24. Qxc6+ Kb8 25. Qb5+ Ka8 26.
Rc7 $18) 21. a5 a6 22. Na4 $14 {[%cal Gd2b3,Gb3c5]}) 19... g5 $1 {Black can
give up the Ph7. The sacrifice is temporary.} 20. Bxh7 (20. h6 g4 21. Nd2 f5 {
Later on the Ph6 might become a target.}) 20... g4 21. Nh4 Qf6 22. g3 Nbc4 23.
Bd3 Rxh5 {Black has got back the h-pawn and his position is absolutely fine.}
24. Rhe1 Re8 25. Re2 Reh8 26. Qb3 Qd8 27. e4 $6 {Trying to create some
activity, but it could backfire on him.} (27. Qb4 {would have been safer.})
27... b6 28. Na4 $6 (28. exd5 Na5 (28... cxd5 29. Rd1 {White should think
about protecting the Pd4} Qf6 30. Bb1 $11) 29. Qc3 Rxd5 (29... bxc5 $6 30. dxc5
) 30. b4 $1 Nb5 $1 31. Bxb5 cxb5 32. bxa5 bxc5 33. dxc5 Rhh5 $1 34. Qb4 Rxc5
35. Rxc5 Qd1+ 36. Kb2 Rxc5 37. Qxc5 Qxe2+ 38. Kc3 {This should end in some
kind of a perpetual check.}) 28... Ba6 (28... Nb5 $1 29. exd5 (29. Bxc4 $2 dxc4
30. Qxc4 Nxd4 $19 {[%csl Re2][%cal Gb6b5]}) 29... Na5 $1 {An important
intermezzo.} 30. Qb4 Rxd5 31. Bxb5 cxb5 32. Nc3 Nc6 33. Qb3 Nxd4 34. Qxd5 Qxd5
35. Nxd5 Nxe2 $17) 29. Nc5 Bc8 30. Na4 (30. exd5 {would be objectively better,
as I have already pointed out above, see 28.exd5.}) 30... Ba6 {Again there was
a chance for 30...Nb5! But, Kramnik, clearly disappointed by his overall
performance in the tournament, decided to call it a day.} 31. Nc5 Bc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 5. d5 b5 6. e4 O-O 7. e5 Ne8 8. f4 {
This sharp line has gained popularity. It was examined in CBM 138, annotations
to Shirov - Kramnik by GM I.Stohl.} exd5 ({The immediate} 8... d6 {has been
seen in practice, too.}) 9. cxd5 d6 10. Nf3 c4 (10... dxe5 11. fxe5 Bb7 12.
Bxb5 Nc7 13. Bd3 Nxd5 14. O-O Nxc3 15. Qc2 $3 $16 (15. bxc3 Bxc3 16. Rb1 Ba6
17. Be4 Bxf1 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Kxf1 Nd7 20. Bxa8 Rxa8 $15 {1/2 (73) Batchuluun,
T (2529)-Vaibhav,S (2527) Jakarta 2013}) 15... Nd5 $140 16. Bxh7+ Kh8 17. Qf5
$18) (10... Nc7 $5 11. a4 (11. Bd3 c4 12. Be4 f5 13. exf6 Qxf6 14. O-O Bf5 15.
Bxf5 Bc5+ 16. Kh1 Qxf5 17. Nd4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Nba6 $17 {0-1 (35) Toth,E (2477)
-Navara,D (2679) Pardubice 2012}) 11... Bb7 12. Bd3 g6 13. O-O c4 14. Be4 Bc5+
15. Kh1 b4 16. Nb5 Nxb5 17. axb5 Nd7 $13 {1-0 (25) Narkun,M (2176)-Tausnev,V 
(1757) Lechenicher SchachServer 2012}) 11. a4 $1 Nd7 (11... Bb7 12. axb5 dxe5
13. fxe5 Qxd5 14. Qxd5 Bxd5 15. Kf2 $1 (15. Bd2 Bxc3 16. Bxc3 Nc7 17. O-O-O Nd7
$132 {0-1 (43) Filippas Ntekouan,S (2263)-Volkov,S (2594) Kavala 2012}) (15.
Nd2 $5) 15... Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nc7 17. Nd4 $14) (11... Bg4 12. axb5 (12. Be2 $5)
12... Nd7 13. e6 $5 fxe6 14. dxe6 Nb6 15. Be2 Nc7 16. Ng5 {1-0 (38) Shirov,A 
(2749)-Kramnik,V (2780) Shanghai 2010 CBM 138 [Stohl,I]} Bxe6 $13) 12. Be2 (12.
axb5 dxe5 $13 {/\} 13. fxe5 $6 Nxe5 $1 14. Nxe5 Qh4+ 15. Ke2 Nd6 $36 {[%csl
Re2] ->עe2 (I.Stohl)}) (12. Bd2 dxe5 13. fxe5 Qe7 14. axb5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5+
16. Qe2 Qd6 17. Qxc4 Nf6 $44 {1/2 (77) Volkov,S (2615)-Bukavshin,I (2578)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2013}) 12... Qb6 13. axb5 Nc7 (13... dxe5 14. fxe5 Bb7 15. Qd4
Nc7 16. Qxb6 Nxb6 17. d6 Nxb5 18. Bd2 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 (19. gxf3 $5 Nd4 20. Be3 $1
Nc2+ 21. Kd2 Nxe3 22. Kxe3 f6 $1) 19... Rae8 20. Nxb5 Rxe5+ 21. Kd1 Bxd2 22.
Nxa7 Bf4 $132 {1/2 (57) Ding,L (2714)-Bacrot,E (2714) Biel 2013}) 14. Qd4 {
White wants to evacuate his king as soon as possible.} (14. Nd2 Nxb5 15. Nxc4
Nxc3 16. bxc3 Bxc3+ 17. Bd2 Qd4 $13) (14. Ra4 Qc5 $13) 14... Bb7 15. Bd2 Bxc3
16. bxc3 $6 (16. Bxc3 dxe5 (16... Nxb5 17. Qxc4 Nxc3 18. bxc3 dxe5 19. fxe5 {
[%cal Yc4d4]}) 17. fxe5 Bxd5 (17... Nxd5 18. O-O $13) 18. Ba5 Qxd4 19. Nxd4 Ne6
$11 {M.Notkin}) 16... dxe5 17. fxe5 Bxd5 18. Be3 Qxb5 {Black boldly accepts
the pawn sacrifice. It is not easy for White to develop his kingside
counterplay.} 19. O-O Ne6 20. Qh4 Ndc5 $6 {[%mdl 32] Removing this knight from
defence was not a good idea.} (20... a5 $1 $17 {P.Maletin}) 21. Rab1 Nb3 (21...
Qc6 $1 22. Bxc4 Bxc4 23. Qxc4 Qe4 $11) 22. Bd1 $1 Qa5 23. Bc2 g6 24. Ng5 $1
Nxg5 25. Bxg5 {White has finally weakened the position of Black's king and
created serious threats.} Qxc3 26. Rf2 Nd4 $1 {An urgent retreat.} 27. Bh6 Nc6
$1 28. Rd1 (28. Bxf8 Rxf8 {is favourable for Black, who is going to win a
third pawn for the exchange (e5), while White's attack is over.}) (28. Rd2 Nxe5
(28... Qxe5 $2 29. Re1 Qd6 30. Be4 Qc5+ 31. Be3 $16) 29. Rxd5 Qxc2 30. Rf1 f6
$1 $13) 28... Qxe5 29. Rf5 $1 Qe7 $2 (29... gxf5 30. Rxd5 Qa1+ 31. Rd1 Qe5 $1
$11 (31... Qc3 $4 32. Qg5+ Kh8 33. Qxf5 $18)) 30. Bg5 $1 f6 31. Rfxd5 $2 {
This leads to simplifications and eventually a draw.} (31. Bxf6 $142 Qe3+ 32.
Rf2 {keeping a strong attack. Besides, Black was under tremendous time
pressure and could hardly find a good defence.}) 31... fxg5 32. Qxc4 Qe6 33.
Bb3 Kh8 34. Qc5 (34. Qc3+ Qf6 35. Qxf6+ Rxf6 36. Rxg5 {, and White must fight
for a draw.}) 34... Rae8 35. h4 $5 Qe3+ 36. Qxe3 Rxe3 37. Ba4 Ne7 38. Rxg5 Nf5
39. h5 Kg7 40. hxg6 hxg6 {Black passes the time control and retains an extra
pawn in the endgame. Unfortunately, in such positions, with pawns on both
sides, the bishop is stronger than the knight; besides, there are too few
pawns on the board. The rook endgame after the exchange of minor pieces is
also satisfactory for White. Therefore, he holds his ground.} 41. Bc2 Kh6 42.
Rg4 Re5 43. Bxf5 Rexf5 {[%mdl 4096]} 44. Ra4 a5 45. Rd6 Rg5 46. Ra6 Rff5 47.
Rh4+ Kg7 48. Ra7+ Rf7 49. Ra6 Rb7 50. Ra4 Rbb5 51. Ra3 Rb1+ 52. Kh2 Rh5+ 53.
Kg3 Rbb5 54. Kf2 Kh6 55. Kg1 Rb1+ 56. Kf2 Rb2+ 57. Kg1 Rg5 58. Rh3+ Kg7 59.
Ra7+ Kf6 60. Ra6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B49"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Be2 b5 (7...
Nf6 {is the big main line.}) 8. Nxc6 dxc6 (8... Qxc6 {is by far more popular
than the text move.}) 9. a4 {A logical decision, Topalov immediately attacks
Black's queenside.} (9. O-O {has also been tried} Bb7 10. a4 b4 11. Nb1 c5 12.
Nd2 Nf6 13. Bd3 ({now} 13. f3 $6 {is not so good, because of} Bd6 $1) 13... Be7
{was more solid.} (13... c4 14. Nxc4 Nxe4 {(Korneev-Brodsky, Sochi 2012)} 15.
Qg4 $36 {with a great initiative for the pawn.}) 14. Qe2 O-O 15. f3 {and
White's position looks more comfortable.}) 9... b4 (9... Bb7 10. O-O {
transposes to 9.0-0.}) 10. Nb1 Nf6 (10... Bb7 {was an alternative} 11. Nd2 Nf6
12. f3 (12. Bd3 Nd7 13. Qe2 Bc5 14. Nc4 O-O 15. a5 $14 {with a comfortable
position for White.} (15. e5 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 c5 17. f4 Bd5 18. O-O Bxc4 19. Bxc4
Nb6 $13 {Dragun-Malakhatko, Warsaw 2011.})) 12... Be7 (12... Rd8 13. Qc1 $14 {
followed by Nc4.}) 13. Nc4 $14 {and White is slightly better.}) 11. Nd2 c5 (
11... Bb7 {transposes to 10...Bb7.}) 12. f3 $1 (12. O-O {was also possible,
but I prefer the text move, because he is immediately preparing for Nc4.})
12... Bb7 (12... Bd6 $2 {is bad now, since} 13. Nc4 Bxh2 $2 14. Rxh2 $1 Qxh2
15. Bxc5 $18 {and White is winning.}) 13. Nc4 Nd7 (13... Be7 14. Qc1 O-O (14...
Nd7 {transposes to the game.}) 15. Bf4 $14 {and White is slightly better.}) 14.
Qc1 $1 {A nice positional move. White prepares for the unpleasant Bf4 and he
is very strong on the dark squares.} Be7 15. O-O (15. Bf4 e5 16. Bg3 {is very
similar to the game.}) 15... O-O 16. Bf4 e5 {This isn't a pretty move, but it
is forced.} ({In the event of} 16... Qc6 $6 17. Rd1 $36 ({or} 17. Na5 {and
White looks nicely placed.})) 17. Bg3 h6 18. c3 a5 19. Qc2 {White improves his
pieces.} Ba6 20. Rfd1 (20. Ne3 $5 {was an interesting alternative:} b3 (20...
c4 21. Nd5 Bc5+ 22. Kh1 $36 {and White has a nice initiative.}) 21. Qd2 Bg5 22.
Bxa6 Rxa6 23. Nd5 $14) 20... Rfd8 21. b3 {A natural move, but} (21. Rd5 $1 {
was more accurate, for example} Bb7 22. Nxe5 $1 {A brilliant tactical blow!}
Bxd5 23. Nxf7 Qb6 24. exd5 Kxf7 25. d6 $1 $18 {followed by Bc4 with a decisive
attack.}) 21... Bg5 22. Bf2 Nf8 23. cxb4 cxb4 $6 {An inaccuacy. After this,
White will control the d-file.} (23... axb4 {should have been played.}) 24. Bb6
$1 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Qb8 26. Bf2 $1 {Simple, but strong!} Qc7 (26... Bd8 $142 {
was more exact.}) 27. Rd5 Rc8 28. h4 ({The engine suggests} 28. Rc5 {, but I
think Topalov didn't want to allow} Qxc5 29. Bxc5 Rxc5 {White looks better,
however Black has a stable position. It isn't so easy to find any weaknesses
in Black's position.}) 28... Be7 29. Qd2 Rd8 $2 {Loses immediately, but
Black's position was already difficult.} ({Still} 29... Bxc4 {was the only
chance} 30. Bxc4 Rd8 31. Rxd8 Bxd8 32. Qd5 {, but Black has to face a long
period of torture.}) 30. Bb6 $1 $18 Rxd5 31. Qxd5 Qb8 32. Qxa5 Bxc4 33. Bxc4
Qd6 34. Bf2 Qd1+ 35. Kh2 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Andreikin,D"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 {After my miraculous escape in the previous round's game with
Anand, fate gave me a chance to fight for a higher position and prize. I had
nowhere to retreat. I had -1 and was sharing 3rd-8th place and this was the
last round. I decided to fight to the end. I had successfully used the
Trompowsky Opening during the Chess World Cup 2013, but decided to extend my
repertoire of classical openings. Now I don't know whether it was a good or
bad idea.} g6 {A nice surprise.} ({Recently Levon applied the original scheme} 
2... d5 3. e3 Nbd7 $5 {a rare move} 4. Nf3 h6 5. Bf4 g5 6. Bg3 Ne4 {
Rapport-Aronian 2014.}) 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. c4 {This move is necessary, otherwise
Black plays d7-d5.} Bb4+ {The black bishop joins the game immediately.} ({
Another setup looks more logical:} 4... f5 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. e3 O-O 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2
Nd7 9. Nge2 Nf6 10. O-O c6 11. b4 {White creates play on the queenside and
receives a small, but stable advantage.}) 5. Nd2 {I did not want to spoil the
pawn structure.} ({After} 5. Nc3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 f5 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2 Nd7 9. Nh3
Nf6 10. Nf4 {the position is almost equal.}) 5... c5 {I can't call this move a
mistake, but it doesn't look correct; it looks as if from this point on the
game was about one of two results. The Trompowsky again had not disappointed
me :)} 6. a3 {The potentially dangerous bishop should be exchanged right now.}
Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 cxd4 8. Nf3 Nc6 {Black is unable to fully exchange the pawn
centre:} (8... d5 9. c5 $1 O-O 10. Nxd4 $16 {This pawn structure looks fatal
for Black.}) 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qa5+ 11. b4 Qe5 {Some of the previous moves
had been made automatically, and now it was time to think properly. Black
still has a very safe position. White has few pieces which can be used to put
pressure on his opponent's weakened centre. Also, there is a risk that if the
opponent comfortably places his pawns on the dark squares, playing d7-d6 and
b7-b6, then my light-squared bishop will be out of work for a long time.} 12.
O-O-O $5 {I like this idea. It is clear that White's main hope is associated
with play on the queenside, so, using castling, the king is sent there. Before
making this move, I made sure that I could execute it according to the rules.
I did't want to finish the tournament having blundered the queen and the rook
at the same time :)} a5 {Black wants to locate my pawns on "unprofitable"
white squares, or to activate the rook on a8.} 13. b5 {I had a pleasant choice
either to make a move or to exchange the queens:} (13. Qxe5+ $5 fxe5 14. b5 {
the black pawn has got stuck on d7. It is difficult to say in whose favour it
is. The computer suggests that Black sacrifice a pawn.} b6 $5 15. Rd5 f6 16.
Rd6 Rb8 17. Rxf6 Ke7 18. Rf3 d5 $1 $44 {This position is approximately equal,
but White does not feel so comfortable.}) 13... d6 {I underestimated this move,
although Black didn't have a better alternative.} ({Deep in my heart I was
hoping for} 13... Ke7 14. c5 Rd8 15. Qd6+ Ke8 16. Rd3 Qa1+ 17. Kd2 Qa2+ 18. Ke3
Qe6+ 19. Kd4 $18) 14. Qxe5+ {If White plays to win, this move should be
recognised as the only one. Unfortunately, you can't get a pawn majority on
the queenside any other way.} (14. e3 Ke7 $1 15. f4 Qc5 $1 16. Kb2 Be6 17. Qxc5
dxc5 $11 {You can settle for a draw.}) 14... dxe5 15. g3 {This idea with the
activation of the bishop along the main diagonal should be foreseen.} ({
Otherwise White can get a worse position:} 15. Kb2 $6 Be6 16. e3 Rc8 17. Kb3
Ke7 18. Be2 Rc5 19. a4 Rhc8 20. Rc1 b6 {White's pawn majority became a
weakness, and the black infantry has the resources to attack on the kingside.})
15... Be6 ({To build barricades against the white bishop isn't possible:} 15...
f5 16. Bg2 e4 17. f3 Be6 18. Rd4 Ke7 19. fxe4 Rac8 20. exf5 Bxc4 21. Kd2 Bxb5
22. Bxb7 {White's advantage has acquired material form.}) 16. Bg2 Bxc4 $6 {
An error associated with a particular miscalculation.} ({It would be more
natural and stronger be to bring the rook into play:} 16... Rc8 $1 17. Kb2 {
During the game I thought that this move of the king was a very powerful
resource. In fact, it only leads to a transposition of moves.} Ke7 $1 18. Bxb7
Rxc4 {White can not safely move the bishop on c6, because of the ligament
along the b-line.} 19. Bd5 $5 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Rhc8 21. Rhd1 Rc2+ 22. Kb3 R8c4 $1
{With this move Black keeps the balance. If you do not know about it, the
ending with the remote b-pawn looks very optimistic for White.} 23. Rd7+ Kf8
24. Ra7 R2c3+ 25. Kb2 Rc2+ 26. Kb3 $11) 17. Bxb7 Rb8 18. Bc6+ Kf8 19. a4 Bb3
20. Kb2 $1 {After the game Levon said that he had blundered this opportunity,
making his 16th move. Of course, to find and execute such ideas is very nice.
I was sure that my position is close to winning.} Bxa4 $2 {In fact, this move
is the decisive mistake. Black had to accept the gift and then adjust the
interaction of the pieces:} (20... Bxd1 $1 21. Rxd1 Ke7 22. Rd7+ Ke6 23. Kc3
Rhd8 24. Ra7 Rd1 25. Rxa5 Rc1+ 26. Kd2 Ra1 27. Ra7 Rd8+ 28. Kc3 Rd4 29. a5 Raa4
$11 {Next the a4-rook checks on the 4th rank. This is one of the possible
"traps" for the white king. Anyway, the white a- and b-pawns were a visual
rather than a real threat in this ending.}) 21. Rd5 Ke7 22. Ka3 {However, it
is impossible to trap the black bishop, but White's position is winning.} (22.
Ra1 $2 Rhc8 23. Ka3 (23. Rxa4 Rxc6 $11) 23... Bb3 $1 24. Rd7+ Kf8 25. Rb1 a4
$11) 22... Bc2 23. Rd7+ {I need to push the king back to the 8th rank.} Kf8 (
23... Ke6 $2 24. Rc1 Be4 25. Rc7 Bxc6 26. R1xc6+ Kf5 27. b6 $18) 24. e4 $6 {
I spent about half of the remaining 20 minutes on this move. Unfortunately, of
all varieties I chose the worst one. I can not say that I was delighted with
the computer solution in this position:} (24. Bd5 $6 Rxb5 25. Rc1 Rxd5 26. Rxd5
Bf5 27. Rd8+ Kg7 28. Rxh8 Kxh8 29. Ka4 {I am not at all sure how to evaluate
this position. In my opinion, the best way to victory was found at the press
conference immediately after the game:}) (24. Rc1 $1 Bf5 25. Ra7 Kg7 26. Rd1 $1
{An important move! You can't allow the black rook to capture the d-file.} Rhc8
27. Rd6 $18 {the white king enters the game and the b-pawn determines the
outcome of the game. Such a position is won easily. Black has no active ideas.
Even in severe time pressure it is almost impossible to make a mistake here.})
24... a4 {This is harder than another attempt to release the bishop:} (24... f5
$6 25. Rc1 Bxe4 26. Bxe4 fxe4 27. Ka4 Kg7 28. Rc6 $1 $18 {Black can not
exchange the rooks and the white pawn calmly goes to b7.}) 25. Rc1 Bb3 26. Bd5
$6 {Another doubtful solution. I overestimated my position in the rook ending
thinking that the active king and passed pawn easily ends the game. I should
have been keeping in mind that two pawns are better than one.} ({After} 26. Rc5
$1 Kg7 27. Bd5 Bxd5 28. exd5 {Black can hardly stop these two pawns.}) 26...
Bxd5 27. Rxd5 Kg7 28. Rc7 Rb6 29. Rc6 Rb7 30. Kxa4 {First I didn't plan to
take this pawn. I thought I could neutralise the black rooks' activity by
moving the b-pawn further forward. But time passed, and I couldn't find a
precise positioning of my pieces. I had to go to plan B - my king was forced
to do all the work himself.} (30. b6 Ra8 31. g4 Ra6 32. Rdd6 {White has the
initiative, but I can not see how to achieve progress.}) 30... Ra8+ 31. Ra6 Rc8
32. b6 $2 {This move loses victory.} ({The cute rook manoeuvre never entered
my head} 32. Rad6 $3 $18 {I will not give super-long options, White must win
here.}) 32... Rc2 33. Kb5 Rxf2 $4 {Levon made this move quickly.} ({Of course
I saw the right move} 33... Rb8 $1 $11 {but being pressed for time I didn't
know what to do in response to it. The analysis shows that Black makes a draw
in all variations} 34. Rd1 Rxf2 35. Rb1 f5 $1 36. exf5 e4 37. fxg6 hxg6 38.
Raa1 e3 39. Ka6 Ra8+ 40. Kb7 Rxa1 41. Rxa1 Rd2 42. Kc8 e2 43. b7 Rd1 44. b8=Q
e1=Q 45. Rxd1 Qxd1 $11) 34. Kc6 Re7 35. Raa5 $1 $18 {Levon confessed, that he
had blundered by not seeingthis move. Now the white king is protected from
checks and nothing can prevent it from accomplishing its mission! I am pleased
that having about 1 minutes for 5 moves I managed to find this idea.} Re6+ 36.
Rd6 Re7 37. Rdd5 {I repeated moves before the final march of the king. Black
has large material losses, the next part of the game does not need comments.}
Re6+ 38. Kc7 Re7+ 39. Kc8 Re8+ 40. Kd7 Kf8 41. b7 Re7+ 42. Kc6 Re6+ 43. Kc7
Re7+ 44. Kb6 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "181"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 4. e3 $5 {[%emt 0:00:05]
This used to be some sort of fashion during the Steinitz-Zukertort World
Championship match, but may look completely outdated some 120 years later.
Some years ago, I started using several systems with an early e2-e3. Apart
from the line played in this gme, I also tried to revive my favourite weapon
from 30 years ago: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.e3. Somehow, I felt this was not too
professional, but the results kept being unexpectedly good, although on some
occasions it was obvious that my opponents had prepared thoroughly. The
conclusion would be that the position is complex enough to avoid exhaustive
preparation and allow the outplaying of the opponent in the middlegame. After
the last move, Black has a wide choice, but every move has some slight
drawback.} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:06]} (4... b6 {Kramnik,V (2787)-Aronian,L (2830)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2014 [Krasenkow] (1/2-1/2, 60)}) (4... c5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. a3 a6 {
proved being less simple for Black than perfect symmetry would suggest in
Aronian,L (2808)-Anand,V (2817) Monte Carlo 2011 CBM 142 [Marin,M] (1-0, 59)})
(4... Nbd7 {is the most flexible move, keeping the possibility of ...Bb4 if
White plays b2-b3, or ...dxc4 as an answer to Bf1-d3.} 5. b3 (5. Nc3 {looks
best, but then} c6 {would transpose to a Meran. The effectiveness of White?s
move order depends on whether Black has this opening in his repertoire.}) 5...
Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 (6. Bd2 a5) 6... e5 7. dxe5 Bc3 ({The correct move order was} 7...
Nxe5 $1 8. Nxe5 Bc3) 8. Rb1 (8. exf6 $1 Bxa1 9. fxg7 Bxg7 10. cxd5 $44) 8...
Nxe5 9. Nxe5 Bxe5 $11 {Giertz,N (2280)-Gaponenko,I (2458) Biel 2006 (1/2-1/2,
67)}) 5. b3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:28]} 6. Bb2 {[%emt 0:00:40]} c5 {
[%emt 0:01:10]} 7. cxd5 {[%emt 0:03:44] I find this very simplistic.} (7. Nbd2
{leads to more complex play. I have selected a few games from the final part
of Karpov's career, some of them coming from other move orders. Personally, I
prefer the lines with hanging white pawns, but Karpov also tried other
structures as well.} cxd4 (7... Nc6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 (8... exd5 9. Be2 b6 10. Ne5
Nxe5 11. dxe5 Ne4 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Qc2 Bb7 14. Rd1 Qc7 15. Bc4 Rad8 16. O-O
Rxd1 17. Rxd1 Rd8 18. e6 fxe6 19. Bxe6+ Kf8 20. h3 Rxd1+ 21. Qxd1 Qd6 22. Qg4
$14 {1-0 (60) Karpov,A (2693)-Van Wely,L (2697) Dubai 2002 CBM 089 [Tsesarsky]}
) 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. a3 b6 11. b4 Be7 12. Rc1 Bb7 13. Bc4 Bf6 14. Qb3 Bxb2 15.
Qxb2 Nf6 16. O-O Qe7 17. Rc2 Rac8 18. Rfc1 $14 {Karpov,A (2616)-Alekseev,E 
(2683) Germany 2013}) 8. exd4 b6 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. Qe2 Nc6 11. Rc1 Re8 12. O-O Bf8
13. Rfd1 Rc8 (13... dxc4 {is premature, clearing the c2-a4 diagonal.} 14. bxc4
g6 15. Nf1 Bg7 16. Ne3 Rc8 17. Bc2 $5 Qe7 18. Bc3 Red8 19. Rb1 Rd7 20. Bd3 Nh5
21. Qb2 Nf4 22. Bf1 Nb8 23. Ne1 Rcd8 24. a4 Nc6 25. g3 Nh5 26. N1c2 Nf6 27. Bg2
Nb8 {It is hard to explain what Karpov did, it looked as if he was defending
for most of the time, but now he finally carries out the breakthrough} 28. d5
$16 {and it was practically all over in Karpov,A (2740)-Morovic Fernandez,I 
(2605) Las Palmas 1994 (1-0, 39)}) 14. h3 g6 15. Qe3 Bg7 16. Bb1 ({The old
theory went} 16. Ne5 dxc4 17. bxc4 Ne7 18. Ndf3 {Smyslov,V (2600)-Ribli,Z 
(2615) London 1983 (1-0, 65)}) 16... Qe7 17. Ne5 dxc4 18. Nxc6 ({The player
with hanging pawns should keep the minor pieces, but probably Karpov disliked} 
18. bxc4 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Nd7 {[%csl Gc5,Rd6,Rf6]}) 18... Bxc6 19. bxc4 Qb7 20. f3
Rcd8 21. Ne4 Qb8 $13 {Karpov,A (2651)-Gelfand,B (2720) Moscow 2008 (1-0, 44)})
7... Nxd5 {[%emt 0:06:43]} ({The following game played by one of Karpov's
historic adversaries actually started with the 1.Nf3 d5 2.b3 move order.} 7...
exd5 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. Be2 Nc6 10. O-O Bb6 11. Na3 Ne4 12. Nb5 Re8 13. Nbd4 Qd6
14. Rc1 Bg4 {Kortschnoj,V (2642)-Sadvakasov,D (2523) Astana 2003 (1/2-1/2, 44)}
) 8. dxc5 {[%emt 0:08:52]} Nd7 $1 $146 {[%emt 0:04:07][%cal Gd7c5] This
novelty seems to solve Black's micro-problems.} (8... Bxc5 {wastes some time,
allowing White get the slightly more pleasant position.} 9. Bc4 (9. Be2 Bb4+
10. Nfd2 b6 11. a3 Be7 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Bb7 14. O-O Nd7 15. Bf3 Bxf3 16.
Nxf3 Rc8 $11 {Bacrot,E (2721)-Naiditsch,A (2697) Montreal 2009 (1/2-1/2, 25)})
9... Nc6 (9... b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Qe2 Qe7 12. a3 Nd7 13. Nbd2 {The knight does
not do much on d5, and it obstructs the b7-bishop at the same time, making the
threat Nd2-e4 a bit annoying.}) ({With the bishop on c4 rather than on e2 like
in a game above,} 9... Bb4+ $6 {is not dangerous:} 10. Nbd2 Nc3 $6 11. Qc2 $16)
10. O-O Nb6 11. Bb5 (11. Bd3 $5 {may offer better chances for retaining a
small edge.} Nb4 {With queens on the board, White's chances for the initiative
would be bigger.} 12. Be2 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Bd7 14. Nc3 {[%cal Ga2a3,Gb3b4]}) 11...
Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Bd7 13. Nc3 Be7 14. Ne4 Rfd8 15. Rac1 Be8 $11 {Fedoseev,V (2641)
-Wojtaszek,R (2713) Yerevan 2014 (0-1, 85)}) 9. c6 {[%emt 0:05:34] The only
way to fight for at least some minimal edge.} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 10. Nbd2 {
[%emt 0:12:15] White has the better queenside structure, but is behind in
development. Black's next move threatens to immediately solve the structural
problems.} a5 $1 {[%emt 0:02:53]} 11. e4 {[%emt 0:04:03]} N5f6 {[%emt 0:03:46]}
(11... Nf4 12. g3 Ng6 13. Be2 a4 14. O-O axb3 15. axb3 Bb7 16. Qc2 $14 {
[%csl Gg6]}) 12. Qc2 {[%emt 0:01:33] This concrete approach would work out
well if White had better development. The way it is, the queen incursion looks
rather risky.} a4 $1 {[%emt 0:03:27]} (12... Qc7 13. Bb5 Bb7 14. O-O Qf4 (14...
Rfc8 $6 {[%cal Gd2c4,Gc4b6,Gc4d6]} 15. Bd3 h6 16. Rfd1 a4 17. bxa4 Qa5 18. Nc4
Qxa4 19. Bxf6 {[%cal Gc4b6,Gc4d6]} gxf6 $8 $14) 15. Bd3 h6 16. h3 a4 17. bxa4
$14 Nc5 $2 18. Be5 $18) 13. Qxc6 $6 {[%emt 0:06:55]} Qa5 {[%emt 0:10:08]
Fighting for equality, with good chances for achieving it, but hardly for more
than that.} (13... Ra5 $1 {would have seriously questioned the viability of
White's plan.} 14. Qc1 (14. Be2 $2 Nc5 $1 {[%cal Gc8d7,Gc8b7]} 15. Be5 axb3 $1
16. Bc7 (16. axb3 Rxa1+ 17. Bxa1 Bd7) 16... Rxa2 $1 17. Rxa2 bxa2 18. O-O Qd7
19. Qxd7 Bxd7 $17) 14... Bb7 $36) (13... Ra7 $5) 14. Qxa4 $1 {[%emt 0:09:42]}
Qxa4 {[%emt 0:02:31]} 15. bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} (15...
Rxa4 16. Bb5 Ra8 17. a4 $16) 16. Bb5 {[%emt 0:02:44]} Nxa4 {[%emt 0:01:31]} 17.
Bd4 {[%emt 0:03:20] It still looks OK for Black, but he has to find a way to
retrieve the pawn at some moment. Excessive simplifications may turn the
a-pawn into a dangerous passer.} Bd7 {[%emt 0:14:52] From a relatively wide
choice of natural moves, this is not the best, but not really bad either.} (
17... Bb7 $6 18. Rc1 $1 Ba3 (18... Ra5 $2 19. Bxa4 Rxa4 20. Rc7 $18) (18...
Nxe4 19. Rc7) (18... Bxe4 19. Bxf6 $18) 19. Rc4 Nb2 20. Bxb2 Bxb2 21. a4 $14) (
17... Ra5 $6 18. Rb1 $1 $14 Bb7 $2 19. Bxa4 $18) (17... Rd8 $5 {may be the
strongest, fighting for active play. The hanging pieces along the d-file may
count later.} 18. O-O (18. Rc1 Ra5) 18... Bb7 19. e5 Ne4 20. Nxe4 Bxe4 21. Rfd1
Ra5 22. Bc4 (22. Be2 Rad5 23. Be3 Nc3 24. Rxd5 Nxe2+ 25. Kf1 Bxd5 26. Kxe2 Ba3
$44) (22. Bf1 $2 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Rad5 $19) 22... Ba3 $44) 18. Bxd7 {[%emt 0:04:
37]} Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 19. Ke2 $14 {[%emt 0:02:21] After the bishop
exchange the king has found a comfortable square in the centre, ensuring White
the more pleasant position.} Nac5 {[%emt 0:03:58]} 20. Rhc1 {[%emt 0:03:15]}
Ra4 {[%emt 0:01:59]} 21. Rc2 {[%emt 0:11:38]} Rfa8 {[%emt 0:04:34]} 22. Rac1 {
[%emt 0:04:23]} Rxa2 $5 {[%emt 0:02:18] An interesting practical decision. I
do not believe that Anand trusted 100% he would hold a draw with a rook
against two minor pieces, but he might have considered that playing on the
position with a pawn down would be too dangerous.} (22... Na6 $5 {[%cal Ga6b4]
would have retained chances to retrieve the a-pawn. True, ...Nb4 is not a draw
yet in view of Rc7, but Black could go slowly with ...f6, ...Kf7, ...e5.} 23.
Rb1 $5 {[%cal Gb1b7]} Bc5 24. Rb7 Bxd4 25. Rxd7 Bc5 26. Ng5 Bf8 $1 {Surely not
an easy move to find, especially when you evaluate this position in advance.
The point is that} 27. Nxf7 Nc5 {would most likely lead to a draw by
repetition.} 28. Rc7 Na6 {Even though 22...Na6 looks objectively better than
the game continuation, from the practical point of view Black's position was
easier to handle in the game.}) 23. Rxc5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:01:33]}
24. Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rc8 $1 {[%emt 0:00:36] It is essential to exchange
one rook, in order to eliminate the main coordinator of the white minor pieces.
} 25. Ba3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 26. Bxc1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nc5
{[%emt 0:09:28]} 27. Ke3 $16 {[%emt 0:04:01] /+/= This is by far not easy to
win, but I guess I would feel very unhappy if I failed to.} f6 {[%emt 0:01:00]}
28. Nd4 {[%emt 0:04:06]} e5 {[%emt 0:05:10]} 29. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} h5 {
[%emt 0:03:35]} 30. h3 {[%emt 0:04:58] Karjakin plays slightly hesitatingly
during this phase of the game.} (30. h4 $5) 30... Kf7 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 31. Nc3
{[%emt 0:01:21]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 32. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:
13]} 33. h4 {[%emt 0:02:22]} g6 {[%emt 0:01:14]} ({The thematic} 33... g5 {
would lead to unclear consequences:} 34. hxg5 fxg5 35. Nf3 Nxe4 36. Kxe4 Rxe2+
37. Be3 Kf6 38. Nxe5 {White has finally achieved perfect cordination but the
pawn numbers have been reduced drastically. Still, it looks difficult to play
with Black.}) 34. g3 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:02:28]} (34... g5 {once
again deserves attention.}) 35. f3 {[%emt 0:00:56] Still not finding an active
plan.} (35. f4 $1 {would have either gained space or created an important
weakness on e5.} Ra7 (35... exf4+ 36. gxf4 {[%cal Ge2d4,Ge4e5]}) 36. fxe5 fxe5
37. Nf3 Rd7 38. Neg1 Rd3+ 39. Ke2 Rb3 40. Ng5+ Kf6 41. N1f3) 35... Kf7 {
[%emt 0:00:29]} (35... g5 $1) 36. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 37.
Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 38. Nb1 {[%emt 0:06:01]} Nb3 {
[%emt 0:01:17]} 39. Nbc3 {[%emt 0:06:47]} Ra1 {[%emt 0:01:57][%csl Rc1]} 40.
Bb2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Nd5 {[%emt 0:04:50]} Na5 {
[%emt 0:06:36]} 42. Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:03:22]} 43. Bc3 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} Rxb6 {[%emt 0:01:42]} 44. Bxa5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rb3+ {[%emt 0:00:37]}
45. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:46]} g5 $5 {[%emt 0:04:22] Better late than never, they
say, but in the meanwhile White has improved his coordination a bit. So,
better at the right time than late!} 46. hxg5 $6 {[%emt 0:07:21]} (46. Kd2 $1 {
[%csl Ge5][%cal Ge2c1,Gc1d3]} Ra3 47. Nc1 Ke6 48. Nd3 {[%csl Ge5][%cal Gh4g5]}
(48. hxg5 fxg5 49. Nd3 h4 $132) 48... gxh4 49. gxh4 Kf7 50. Bb4 {[%cal Gd2e3]}
Ra2+ 51. Ke3 Rh2 52. Be1 Ra2 53. f4 exf4+ 54. Nxf4 $16) 46... fxg5 {[%emt 0:00:
13]} 47. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:07:53]} 48. g4 {[%emt 0:08:27]} h4 {
[%emt 0:06:50]} 49. Ng1 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 50. Bd2 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 51. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 52.
Nh3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 53. Kd3 {[%emt 0:03:36]} ({When
playing his 46th move, White might have hoped that the pawn ending arising
after} 53. Nxg5 Rxd2+ 54. Kxd2 Kxg5 {would be won, but it is a simple draw.}
55. Ke2 Kf4 56. Kf2 Kg5 57. Kg2 Kg6 58. Kh2 Kf6 59. Kh3 Kg5 $11) 53... Rb2 {
[%emt 0:02:46]} 54. Ke3 {[%emt 0:04:14]} Rb3+ {[%emt 0:00:37]} 55. Ke2 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 56. Kd1 {[%emt 0:03:16]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:02:
52]} 57. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 58. Kd3 {[%emt 0:03:21]} Ra2
{[%emt 0:00:22]} 59. Nf2 {[%emt 0:04:28]} Ra3+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} 60. Bc3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. Ke3 {[%emt 0:01:39]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:02:
02]} 62. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:54]} Ra2+ {[%emt 0:02:51]} 63. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:24]}
Kf6 {[%emt 0:08:35]} 64. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:55]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 65. Nd1 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 66. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:
43]} 67. Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:03:45]} 68. Bb6 {[%emt 0:01:02]}
Ra2+ {[%emt 0:02:11]} 69. Nf2 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:01:15]} 70. Kh3 {
[%emt 0:00:43]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 71. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} 72. Bd8+ {[%emt 0:01:27]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 73. Be7 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:52]} (73... h3+ {looks premature, although it is far from
clear whether White can take the pawn:} 74. Kg3 h2 75. Nh1 Rc2 76. Bb4 Kf6 77.
Ba5 (77. Be1 $2 Rc1 78. Kf2 Ra1) 77... Rb2 {Still, one would not embark on
such a variation without being obliged to.}) 74. Bc5 {[%emt 0:02:03] In the
meanwhile, White keeps moving the pieces around in a dead drawn position. In
such cases, it is better to call it a day, as one may well lose the feeling
for danger. Which was actually to happen later...} Rc2 {[%emt 0:05:37]} 75. Bd6
{[%emt 0:00:53]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 76. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rc1+ {[%emt 0:
00:44]} 77. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 78. Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:16]}
Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 79. Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 80. Bd8+ {
[%emt 0:01:13]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 81. Be7 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} 82. Bc5 {[%emt 0:02:01]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 83. Kg1 {[%emt 0:01:18]}
Rb1+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} 84. Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 85. Kg2 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 86. Ba3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} 87. Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 88. Be1 $2 {[%emt 0:00:41]
Not a fortunate square for the bishop.} h3+ $1 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 89. Kf1 $6 {
[%emt 0:00:40]} (89. Kxh3 Re2 90. Nd3 Re3 91. Nxe5 Rxe1 92. Nd7+ Ke6 93. Nb6
$11 {[%cal Gb6d5]}) 89... h2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 90. Nh1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rb1 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 91. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:21] A good moment to offer a draw, knowing
that it would assure one's opponent of an overall win in the Candidates.} (91.
Ke2 {Black could play on, of course, but it seems that there would be no way
to break through and no zugzwang available:} Ke6 92. Ng3 Kd6 93. Nf5+ Kc5 94.
Ng3 Kc4 95. Nh1 Kb3 96. Ng3 Kc2 97. Nh1) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 g6 8. Bd3
Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Ne5 (10. e4 {is the main alternative here.}) 10... c5 {
This continuation leads to a position with a fixed centre (d4 vs d5), which is
rather favourable for White's knights. Practice has seen:} (10... Rd8 11. c5
Bd7 12. b4 Be8 13. f4 Nd7 14. Kh1 Qe7 15. Rf3 $36 {0-1 (38) Abhishek,A (2106)
-Sethuraman,S (2574) Kanpur IND 2014}) (10... Nd7 11. f4 Qe7 12. c5 Nxe5 13.
fxe5 b6 14. b4 Bd7 15. Qg4 Rfb8 16. Rab1 Be8 17. h4 Qd8 18. h5 g5 19. Nd1 a5 {
1/2 (19) Latorre,M (2312)-Mareco,S (2591) Asuncion 2011}) (10... Qe7 11. cxd5
exd5 12. f4 Nd7 13. Qf3 Nxe5 (13... Nf6 14. Rae1 Rd8 15. Kh1 c5 16. a3 c4 17.
Bc2 Qc7 18. g4 $40 {1-0 (27) Polak,T (2543)-Feher,A (2342) Hungary 2012}) 14.
fxe5 Be6 (14... f6 $5 15. Qg3 g5 $13) 15. Ne2 Qg5 16. Qf4 Rae8 17. Rac1 Kh7 18.
h4 $14 {1-0 (93) Polak,T (2525)-Krejci,J (2455) Ostrava 2010}) (10... dxc4 11.
Nxc4 $1 (11. Bxc4 c5 12. f4 (12. Rc1 cxd4 13. exd4 Rd8 14. Re1 $6 Nc6 15. Qa4
Rxd4 16. Nxc6 Bd7 $17 {0-1 (37) Krejci,J (2529)-Hovhannisyan,R (2630) Moscow
2013}) 12... cxd4 13. Qxd4 Nc6 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Qxf6 Bxf6 16. Rac1 {1/2 (36)
Cmilyte,V (2514)-Sebag,M (2501) Beijing CHN 2013} Rd8 $11) 11... Qe7 12. Qb3
Rd8 13. Rad1 b6 14. f4 Bb7 15. Be4 Na6 16. a3 c5 17. d5 exd5 18. Bxd5 Bxd5 19.
Nxd5 Qe6 20. f5 gxf5 21. Nf4 Qc6 22. Nh5 $44 {1-0 (31) Fedoseev,V (2525)-Negi,
P (2641) Moscow 2012}) 11. cxd5 cxd4 (11... exd5 12. Nxd5 $5 (12. f4 Nc6 13.
Kh1 Qd8 14. Rc1 cxd4 15. exd4 {1-0 (66) Gunina,V (2490)-Nezad,H (2394) Caleta
2013} Be6 $14) 12... Qd6 13. Nf4 $1 Bxe5 (13... cxd4 14. Nexg6 $1 fxg6 15. Qb3+
Rf7 16. Bxg6 Qf8 17. exd4 $40) 14. dxe5 Qxe5 15. Bxg6 fxg6 16. Nxg6 Qf6 17.
Nxf8 Kxf8 18. Qd5 $14) 12. exd4 exd5 13. Re1 $1 $14 {[%csl Ge5]} ({Now after} 
13. Nxd5 Qd6 14. Nf4 Nc6 $1 {Black has no problems, e.g.} 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Ne2
Bg4) 13... Be6 14. Bb5 $1 {[%mdl 32] A typical manoeuvre in order to weaken
Black's queenside.} Rd8 15. Rc1 a6 16. Ba4 Rd6 $1 {[%cal Yb8d7]} (16... b5 17.
Bb3 {[%csl Gb3]}) 17. Qb3 (17. Qd2 $142) 17... b6 $6 ({Black renounced} 17...
b5 {in view of} 18. Qa3 {[%cal Ra4b5,Ra3d6] . In fact, he saw the riposte} Qd8
$1 19. Bxb5 axb5 20. Qxa8 Ra6 21. Qb7 Rb6 {, which led to a draw:} 22. Qa8 (22.
Nxf7 $6 Bxf7 23. Qe7 Qxe7 24. Rxe7 Kf8 25. Rc7 Bxd4) (22. Qa7 $6 Bxe5 23. Nxd5
$5 (23. dxe5 Nc6 24. Qa3 b4) 23... Bxh2+ 24. Kxh2 Bxd5 25. Rc8 Qxc8 26. Qxb6
Nd7 27. Qxb5 Nf6 {[%cal Rc8g4]} 28. f3 Bxa2 $17) 22... Ra6 $11 {but Veselin
Topalov was playing for a win.}) 18. Ne2 b5 19. Qa3 Bf8 20. Bc2 Nc6 (20... Nd7
$5) 21. Qg3 (21. Qe3 $142 $14 {[%cal Ye2f4]}) 21... Rc8 22. h4 Ne7 (22... Be7
$5 23. h5 Qg5 $13) 23. h5 (23. Nf4 $5 Nf5 24. Bxf5 Rxc1 (24... Qxf5 25. Rc5 $1)
25. Rxc1 Qxf5 26. Rc7 $36) 23... g5 24. f4 $1 Qg7 (24... Nf5 25. Qf2) 25. Rf1 (
25. Qf2 $5 {[%cal Ye2g3]}) 25... f6 $1 26. Ng4 $6 {This retreat releases
White's pressure.} (26. Ng6 $142 $1 Nxg6 (26... Rdc6 27. Nxf8 Rxf8 28. Bd3 $14)
27. Bxg6 Rxc1 28. Nxc1 $1 $14 {[%cal Yc1d3]}) 26... Rdc6 27. Ne3 f5 $1 28. fxg5
(28. Qe1 {was probably more accurate.}) 28... Qxg5 29. Qxg5+ (29. Qf3 Bf7 30.
Nf4 Bg7 31. Rfd1 Rc4 $5 32. Nxc4 Rxc4 $44) 29... hxg5 30. Bxf5 Nxf5 31. Rxc6
Rxc6 32. Nxf5 {[%mdl 4096]} Rc2 33. Neg3 Rxb2 {The position has sharpened.
Black's bishop pair has become an important factor but White's passed h5-pawn
should not be underestimated either.} 34. Re1 Bd7 (34... Bxf5 35. Nxf5 Rxa2 36.
Re8 $132) 35. Ne7+ Kf7 $6 (35... Kg7 $1 36. Nxd5 Bd6 37. Ne4 Be6 38. Nxd6 Bxd5
39. Re5 Rxg2+ 40. Kf1 Bf3 {is not easy to find and evaluate.}) 36. Nxd5 Bc6 37.
Rf1+ $1 Ke6 {Black's king is unsafe here but he has no choice.} (37... Kg7 $2
38. h6+ Kxh6 39. Rf6+) (37... Kg8 $6 38. Nf6+ Kg7 39. d5) 38. Ne3 (38. Nc7+ $1
Kd6 39. d5 Kxc7 40. Rf7+ Kb6 41. Rf6 $16 {(indicated by GM P.Maletin)}) 38...
Bg7 39. Ngf5 Bh8 40. h6 Be4 41. d5+ Kd7 42. Ng3 (42. Ng7 $5 Rb1 43. Ne6) 42...
Bd3 43. Rf7+ Ke8 44. Rf3 Rxa2 45. Nef5 Rd2 $2 {[%mdl 64] Black misses a
tactical motif.} (45... Bxf5 46. Nxf5 g4 $1 {should be enough to save the game,
e.g.} 47. Rg3 Rd2 48. Rxg4 Rxd5 49. Rg8+ Kf7 50. Rxh8 Rxf5 $11) 46. Ng7+ $1 Ke7
47. d6+ $1 Kxd6 48. Rf8 {Black's h8 bishop is suddenly trapped!} b4 {
Desperation.} 49. Rxh8 b3 50. N7f5+ $2 {This check suddenly lets White's
victory slip.} (50. Ne4+ $1 {was the nicest way to win:} Bxe4 51. Rd8+ Ke5 (
51... Kc5 52. Rxd2) 52. Rxd2 Bc2 53. Kf2 b2 54. h7 $1 b1=Q 55. Re2+ $1 Kd5 56.
h8=Q $18) 50... Bxf5 $2 {Black fails to find a miraculous escape:} (50... Kc7
$1 51. h7 b2 52. Rc8+ Kxc8 53. h8=Q+ Kb7 $1 54. Qg7+ Ka8 {- White can't either
stop Black's pawn or capture his d2-rook and must give a perpetual.}) 51. Nxf5+
Kc7 52. h7 b2 53. Rc8+ Kxc8 54. h8=Q+ Kd7 55. Qh7+ (55. Qh7+ Kd8 56. Ne3 $18)
1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} d6 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 6. Be3 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 7. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:06]
} 8. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg7 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 10. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:33]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 11. h4 {[%emt 0:
02:26]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 12. Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} gxh4 {[%emt 0:01:29]} 13.
Bxh4 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 14. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Qb6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 15. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 16. exd5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 17. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:01:29]} Qxd4 {[%emt 0:
18:23]} 18. Qxd4 {[%emt 0:19:33]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 19. c3 $146 {[%emt 0:
00:34]} (19. O-O-O Be5 20. Rh3 Kd7 21. Rb3 Rab8 22. a4 Rhg8 23. Kb1 Bf6 24. Rh1
Bxh4 25. Rxh4 Nf6 26. g3 Nxd5 27. Bxh5 Nc7 28. Bxf7 Rg7 29. Bh5 b5 30. axb5
axb5 31. Be2 Rf8 32. f4 Kc8 33. Rh5 Rfg8 34. g4 e6 35. Bf3 Kd7 36. f5 Rg5 37.
fxe6+ Kxe6 38. Re3+ Kd7 39. Be4 R8g7 40. Bf5+ Kc6 41. Rc3+ Kb7 42. Rxg5 Rxg5
43. Rh3 Kb6 44. Rh5 Rg7 45. Rh7 Rg8 46. Kc1 {1-0 (46) Kotronias,V (2530)-King,
D (2500) Gausdal 1993}) 19... Bf6 {[%emt 0:19:26]} 20. O-O-O {[%emt 0:02:09]}
Kd7 {[%emt 0:05:11] A Najdorf quickly turned into a dull double rook endgame
that neither side had realistic winning chances in, depspite the fact that
White's structure was much superior.} 21. Bxg4+ {[%emt 0:06:38]} hxg4 {[%emt 0:
00:10]} 22. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} exf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 23. Rxh8 {[%emt 0:00:
59]} Rxh8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 24. Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 25.
Rxg4 {[%emt 0:07:33]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 26. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Ke6 {
[%emt 0:06:57]} 27. Kc2 {[%emt 0:11:43]} Rg5 {[%emt 0:08:17]} 28. g3 {[%emt 0:
01:04]} Re5 {[%emt 0:01:41]} 29. Kd3 {[%emt 0:02:33]} Rd5+ {[%emt 0:03:05]} 30.
Rd4 {[%emt 0:02:43]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 31. Re4+ {[%emt 0:16:14]} Kd7 {
[%emt 0:00:34]} 32. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Re5 {[%emt 0:02:55]} 33. Kd4 {[%emt 0:
01:57]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:08:47]} 34. a4 {[%emt 0:07:14]} b6 {[%emt 0:11:42]} 35. b3
{[%emt 0:03:36]} Rh1 {[%emt 0:02:14]} 36. Kd3 {[%emt 0:08:12]} Rd1+ {[%emt 0:
03:06]} 37. Kc2 {[%emt 0:03:47]} Rf1 {[%emt 0:04:55]} 38. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:26]}
Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 39. Kd3 {[%emt 0:01:08]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 40. Ke2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Kd2 {[%emt 0:10:59]} Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:
27]} 42. Ke2 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "1:03:38"]
[BlackClock "1:07:24"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:10]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 6. Re1 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:26]
} 8. c3 {[%emt 0:05:25]} d5 {[%emt 0:02:59]} 9. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Nxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 10. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. Rxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 12. d3 {[%emt 0:02:19] With the tournament
already in the bag it didn't make any sense for Anand to play for blood or to
show anything new in his preparation. Svidler's Marshall was more than
sufficient to jump into an easily drawn endgame.} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 13. Re1
{[%emt 0:00:13]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:06:22]} 14. Qf3 {[%emt 0:04:48]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:03:
17]} 15. Nd2 {[%emt 0:06:17]} Qg6 {[%emt 0:01:57]} 16. Bd1 {[%emt 0:02:20]}
Bxd3 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 17. Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:45]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:02:49]} 18. Qxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Qxe4 19. Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rae8 {[%emt 0:01:11]} 20. Rxe8 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 21. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bf4 {[%emt 0:03:
06]} 22. Bf3 {[%emt 0:03:57]} Bxc1 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 23. Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 24. a3 $146 {[%emt 0:01:18]} (24. b3 Re6 25. c4 Nb4 26.
cxb5 cxb5 27. a4 bxa4 28. bxa4 Nd3 29. Rb1 Nc5 30. a5 Re5 31. Be2 Ne6 {1/2-1/2
(31) Shirov,A (2696)-Nyback,T (2599) Jyvaskyla 2014}) 24... Rd8 {[%emt 0:16:09]
} 25. c4 {[%emt 0:04:43]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 26. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:04:08]} Nd3 {
[%emt 0:01:01]} 27. Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:49]} bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 28. Rxc4 {
[%emt 0:03:52]} Nxb2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 29. Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:03:
16]} 30. Ke2 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 31. Be4 {[%emt 0:06:51]}
Rxc2+ {[%emt 0:01:31]} 32. Bxc2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 33. Bd3 {
[%emt 0:01:40]} Nxa3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 34. Bxa6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "188"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Levon is known as a real expert in 1.d4, so already his first move was
surprising.} c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Bc4 {White deviates from the main theoretical
lines and chooses an aggressive side variation. This setup is usually
connected with pushing the f-pawn at an early stage of the game.} a6 $5 {
A rather rare, but principled response. Black is ready to meet the f2-f4
advance with d6-d5 quite soon.} 4. a3 {Securing the light-squared bishop.} ({
The following illustrative line shows, that White can hardly save a tempo by
deviating from this prophylactic move:} 4. d3 e6 5. f4 Nf6 6. Nf3 d5 7. Bb3
dxe4 8. Nxe4 (8. dxe4 $6 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 b5 $15) 8... Nxe4 9. dxe4 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1
b5 $11 (10... b6 $5)) 4... e6 5. d3 Nf6 6. Ba2 Nc6 7. Nf3 {Aronian chooses the
most solid way of development.} ({A double-edged position could arise after
the most ambitious} 7. f4 Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. O-O b5 $132) 7... Be7 8. O-O O-O 9.
Re1 b5 10. Ne2 $5 {Such a fresh and complex position is rarely seen on move
10! Both sides have definite winning chances, so Sergei Karjakin could be
satisfied at this moment.} Bb7 {This developing move is the most natural.} ({
One preceding game saw} 10... c4 11. Ng3 cxd3 {0-1 Kende,G (2198)-Llaneza Vega,
P (2272)/Hungary 2008/EXT 2009 (37)} 12. cxd3 Bb7 13. d4 {but this change of
pawn structure helps White.}) 11. Ng3 d5 $146 {Sergey decides to fix the pawn
structure and restrict White's light-squared bishop. However, this decision
has a clear drawback: now White gets good attacking prospects due to a space
advantage.} (11... Ne5 $5 {is worth considering:} 12. Ng5 (12. Nxe5 dxe5 13.
Be3 Qc7 $11) 12... h6 13. Nh3 c4 $132) 12. e5 Nd7 13. c3 d4 $1 ({Sergey
correctly prevents White from consolidating their centre be means of d3-d4:} 
13... Qb6 $6 14. d4 a5 15. Bb1 cxd4 16. cxd4 $14) 14. cxd4 cxd4 $6 {Now White
keeps threatening attacking potential!} ({I guess, Sergey has refuted} 14...
Nxd4 $1 15. Nxd4 cxd4 {in view of} 16. Qg4 {and the activation of White's
queen looks scary. However, Black is doing ok here:} Kh8 {and White hardly has
anything better than} 17. Qxd4 (17. Nh5 Rg8 (17... g6 $5) 18. Qxd4 (18. Qf4 Nc5
$1 19. Qxf7 Qd7 20. Nf4 Raf8 21. Bxe6 Rxf7 22. Bxd7 Nxd7 23. e6 Rxf4 24. Bxf4
Nc5 $15) 18... Nc5 19. Qe3 Qxd3 20. Nf4 Qxe3 21. Bxe3 Rgd8 $11) 17... Nc5 18.
Be3 Nxd3 19. Red1 Qxd4 20. Bxd4 Nf4 $11) 15. Bf4 Nc5 {Black has some space
advantage on the queenside, but creating any serious threats is a tough task
at this stage of the game.} (15... h6 16. Ne4 Qb6 17. Rc1 Rad8 18. h4 $14) 16.
Rc1 b4 17. Bg5 $6 {Levon is interested in exchanging the dark-squared bishops.
In this case the Ng3 would get a nice route to d6.} ({However, it looks like
the direct attack by means of} 17. Nh5 $1 {was very dangerous. For instance,}
Kh8 ({Even worse is} 17... Re8 18. Rxc5 $1 Bxc5 19. Nxg7 Kxg7 20. Ng5 h6 (20...
Re7 21. Ne4 $18) 21. Qg4 hxg5 22. Bxg5 Kf8 23. Bxd8 Raxd8 24. h4 $16) 18. Rxc5
$1 ({But not} 18. Nxg7 $2 b3 $1 (18... Kxg7 19. Rxc5 Bxc5 20. Ng5 h6 21. Qg4
hxg5 22. Bxg5 $18) 19. Bxb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Na5 $1 21. Qa4 Bxf3 22. gxf3 Rg8 $15)
18... Bxc5 19. Ng5 Be7 (19... h6 20. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 21. Qg4 $18) (19... b3 20.
Nxh7 $1 bxa2 (20... Kxh7 21. Qg4 g6 22. Nf6+ Kg7 23. Bh6+ Kxh6 24. Qh4+ Kg7 25.
Qh7#) 21. Qg4 g6 22. N7f6 $18) 20. Qg4 (20. Nxh7 Kxh7 21. Nxg7 Kxg7 22. Qg4+
Kh7 23. Qh5+ $11) 20... g6 21. Ng3 $36) 17... b3 (17... Bxg5 18. Nxg5 Qxg5 19.
Rxc5 Qe7 20. Qc2 Rac8 21. Rc1 Qd7 22. Qd2 bxa3 23. bxa3 Ne7 $11) 18. Bb1 {
This is a risky decision - the Bb1 is completely out of play. However, Aronian
is fighting for a win and avoids any simplifications.} ({Accepting the
challenge} 18. Bxb3 {leads to a balanced position:} Nxb3 19. Qxb3 Bxg5 20. Nxg5
Na5 $1 (20... Qxg5 21. Qxb7 Nxe5 22. Qe4 Ng6 23. Rc4 $14) 21. Qa4 (21. Qb4 Rb8
22. Rc5 Qxg5 23. Qxa5 h5 $44) 21... Bc6 22. Rxc6 Nxc6 23. Nxh7 Kxh7 24. Qxc6
$11) 18... h6 $2 {Sergey understimates White's strong 20th move.} ({It looks
like both players have overlooked} 18... Bxg5 $1 19. Nxg5 Nd7 $1 {with a
preferable position for Black:} ({after} 19... Qxg5 $6 20. Rxc5 $14 {White is
better due to his control over the c-file.}) 20. Qxb3 (20. Nf3 Rb8 21. Qd2 h6
22. Qf4 Ne7 23. Ne4 Ng6 24. Qg3 Nb6 $15) 20... Rb8 21. Nf3 (21. N5e4 Ba8 22.
Qc2 Ncxe5 $15) 21... Na5 22. Qd1 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Rxb2 $15) 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Ne4
$1 {This excellent resource allows White to liberate the Bb1.} Nxe4 (20... Nd7
21. Nd6 Nb6 22. Nxb7 Qxb7 23. Qxb3 $16) 21. dxe4 $14 {White is in firm control
now.} Rab8 (21... Rfd8 22. Qxb3 Rab8 23. Qd1 Ba8 24. Re2 $16) 22. Qxb3 (22.
Nxd4 {would be inaccurate:} Nxe5 23. Qxb3 Rfd8 24. Qe3 a5 $44 {[%cal Gb7a6]}) (
{But Levon could get rid of the Pb3 in a different version:} 22. Bd3 $5 Rfd8
23. Qxb3 Ba8 24. Qc2 a5 25. Red1 $14) 22... Ba8 23. Qc2 Rb6 24. Rcd1 $6 {
One of the most critical mistakes - White's play is too slow.} ({This seems
the last chance for Levon to fight for a win in this game:} 24. b4 a5 25. bxa5
Nxa5 26. Qc5 Qxc5 27. Rxc5 Nc6 28. Bd3 Rb3 29. Bb5 $14) (24. Red1 Rfb8 25. b4
a5 26. bxa5 Nxa5 27. Nxd4 Qxa3 28. Qd3 $14) 24... Rfb8 25. Re2 $6 {Mistakes
rarely come alone!} ({After} 25. b4 a5 26. bxa5 Nxa5 27. Nxd4 Qxa3 $44 {
Black has enough compensation, but there was no reason for avoiding this line.}
) 25... Qb7 $6 {Sergey errs as well.} ({He could maintain winning chances by
accepting the challenge:} 25... Rxb2 $1 26. Qxb2 Rxb2 27. Rxb2 Qxa3 28. Rbd2
Bb7 29. Nxd4 Nxe5 $15 {the strong Pa6 is really dangerous.}) 26. Rdd2 Rb3 27.
Qd1 {According to his style, Levon is continuing to fight for a win.} (27. Nxd4
Nxd4 28. Rxd4 Rc8 $1 (28... Rxb2 $2 29. Qxb2 Qxb2 30. Rxb2 Rxb2 31. Rb4 $16)
29. Qd1 (29. Qd2 $4 Rxb2 30. Qxb2 Qxb2 31. Rxb2 Rc1+) 29... Rxb2 $11) 27... Qc7
28. Qc1 $6 {Allowing a dangerous sacrifice.} ({After} 28. Nxd4 $142 Nxd4 29.
Rxd4 Rxb2 30. Rxb2 Rxb2 31. Bd3 $11 {the game should end in a draw.}) 28...
Rxf3 $1 29. gxf3 Qxe5 {Now Black has a dangerous initiative. White's king is
very weak, so Black has not much risk there.} 30. Rd3 Qh5 31. Qf4 (31. e5 g6 $1
32. Rc2 Qxe5 33. Rc5 Qd6 34. b4 Kg7 35. f4 Ne7 $15) 31... Ne5 (31... Rb5 $5 32.
h4 Ne5 33. b4 a5 $44) 32. Rc2 $2 {Levon is looking for some activity, but now
the rook comes into attack.} ({At the same time, after the cool-blooded} 32.
Kg2 $1 Rd8 33. Qg3 (33. Rd1 Ng6 34. Qg4 Qe5 $44) 33... Nxd3 34. Bxd3 $11 {
White should be able to hold the balance.}) 32... Rb5 $1 {That's the point.
White has no time for taking the Ba8.} 33. h4 (33. Rc8+ Kh7 34. Rxa8 Ng6 35.
Qg3 Rg5 36. Rxd4 Qxf3 37. Rdd8 Qe2 38. Bd3 Qe1+ 39. Kg2 e5 $1 40. Bxa6 Nf4+ 41.
Kf3 Rxg3+ 42. fxg3 Ne6 $19) 33... Bb7 ({Missing the strong} 33... Bc6 $142 $1
34. Rcd2 Rc5 35. Rd1 Ba4 $19 {with a decisive advantage. However, this looks
like a very tough line.}) 34. Rcd2 Rb6 (34... a5 $5) 35. Kf1 $6 {White's task
is extremely hard. A human can hardly avoid mistakes in such a scary position.}
(35. Kg2 Ng6 (35... Nxd3 36. Bxd3 e5 37. Qf5 $15) 36. Qg4 Qxg4+ 37. fxg4 Bxe4+
38. Kg3 e5 $17) 35... Nxd3 $2 ({Once again, Sergey could activate his bishop
with colossal effect:} 35... a5 $1 36. Rxd4 Ba6+ 37. Bd3 (37. Kg2 Rb3 $1 $19)
37... Nxd3 38. R4xd3 Rb3 39. Qd6 Bxd3+ 40. Rxd3 Qb5 41. Ke2 Rxb2+ 42. Ke1 Qc4
$19) 36. Bxd3 $15 {Now White's pieces are much better coordinated.} e5 37. Qg3
({Levon could maintain good drawing chances in the endgame:} 37. Qg4 $5 Qxg4
38. fxg4 a5 39. Rc2 a4 40. Ke2 Kf8 41. Kd2 f6 42. f3 $15) 37... Rf6 (37... Rg6
$5) 38. Be2 Rf4 39. Rxd4 Rxh4 40. Rd8+ Kh7 {The Kf1 is permanently under
pressure, but now White's rook is active.} 41. Kg2 (41. Ke1 Rf4 42. Kd2 Qh1 $36
) 41... Rf4 42. Rd1 g5 $1 {A good positional idea. Now Black always has a
dangerous attacking resource g5-g4.} 43. Qh3 (43. b4 $5 Kg7 (43... g4 44. Rd6
$1 gxf3+ 45. Bxf3 Bxe4 46. Bxe4+ Rxe4 47. Qd3 $132) 44. a4 $15) 43... Qg6 44.
Kf1 Rh4 45. Qg3 Qe6 46. Kg2 Rf4 {Sergey is waiting and doesn't change the
pleasant character of position.} (46... f5 $5 {is not trivial for humans:} 47.
exf5 Qxf5 48. Bd3 e4 49. fxe4 Bxe4+ 50. Kf1 Rh1+ 51. Ke2 Rh3 52. Qc7+ Kg6 $17)
47. Rc1 Qd6 48. Rd1 Qf6 49. Rc1 a5 50. b4 axb4 51. axb4 {The b-pawn is not so
strong yet, but now there is} Qd6 52. Rh1 Kg7 (52... f5 $1 53. Rd1 (53. Qxg5
fxe4 54. Kg1 Rf7 $19) 53... Qxb4 54. Kg1 Bc8 $17) 53. b5 Bc8 $6 {The bishop
can hardly find a better square than b7.} ({A much more energetic move would be
} 53... Qd2 $1 54. Bc4 f5 55. Qh3 Qd6 56. Bd5 Bxd5 57. exd5 g4 $17) 54. Qh2 $1
Qg6 55. Qh5 (55. Rc1 $5 g4 56. Kf1 $1 gxf3 57. Bxf3 $1 Bd7 58. Be2 Qxe4 59. Rc4
Qb1+ 60. Kg2 $15) 55... Qf6 56. Qh2 Kh7 57. Qg3 Bb7 {Admitting the previous
mistake. White has some pressure along the h-file now, so it's not easy to
make progress.} 58. Rc1 Qd6 59. Rd1 Qf6 60. Rc1 Qd6 61. Rh1 Kg7 62. Qh3 Rh4 63.
Qg3 $6 ({It looks like Levon could solve his problems by means of nice
tactical measures:} 63. Rd1 $1 Qg6 (63... Qxd1 64. Bxd1 Rxh3 65. Kxh3 h5 66. b6
Kf6 67. f4 exf4 68. Bxh5 $11) 64. Qg3 Qf6 65. Kg1 $11) 63... Rf4 64. Qh3 Rf6
65. Rd1 Qc5 66. Qg3 (66. Rd8 Qc1 67. Qh1 Qb2 $15) 66... Rf4 67. Rh1 $6 {
One more inaccuracy leads to a very difficult position.} ({It was necessary to
keep the rook active:} 67. Bf1 $1 Qc2 68. Rd6 Qc7 69. Rd1 Bc8 $15) 67... Qc2 $1
68. Qh2 Rf6 69. Re1 Qd2 $1 {Now White is doomed to a passive defence.} 70. Kf1
Rf4 71. Rd1 Qc3 72. Kg2 $2 {Decisive mistake.} (72. Qg2 Qc2 73. Re1 f5 $17 {
looks horrible, but at least White is still in the game.}) 72... Qb2 $1 {
Now Black is dominating. White cannot keep the material balance any longer.}
73. Rh1 (73. Kf1 Bc8 $1 74. Qg2 Rh4 $19) 73... Rh4 74. Qg3 Rxh1 75. Kxh1 Qxe2
76. Qxe5+ Kh7 $19 {Black is a piece up. The rest was just an agony. A painful
defeat for Levon Aronian.} 77. Kg2 Qc4 $1 78. Qe7 (78. Qf5+ Kg7 79. Qe5+ f6 80.
Qe7+ Qf7 $19) 78... Bc8 79. b6 Ba6 80. Kh2 Qb3 81. Qa7 (81. Kg2 Kg7 82. Qe5+ f6
83. Qc7+ Qf7 $19) 81... Bf1 82. Kg1 Bh3 83. f4 gxf4 (83... g4 84. Kh2 Bf1 85.
Kg1 Be2 86. b7 Qd1+ 87. Kh2 Bf3 88. b8=Q Qh1+ 89. Kg3 Qh3#) (83... Qd1+ 84. Kh2
Qh5 85. b7 Qf3 86. b8=Q Qg2#) 84. Qc7 Qd1+ 85. Kh2 Qh5 86. Qxf4 Bc8+ 87. Kg2
Qg5+ 88. Kf3 Qxf4+ 89. Kxf4 Kg6 90. Ke5 h5 91. Kd6 h4 92. Kc7 Ba6 93. Kb8 h3
94. Ka7 h2 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "1:16:35"]
[BlackClock "1:04:48"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 4. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:40]}
O-O {[%emt 0:01:25]} 5. a3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:34]} 6. Qxc3 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} 8. Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Ba6 {
[%emt 0:00:56]} 10. Qa4 {[%emt 0:01:56]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:03:33]} 11. Qxd7 {
[%emt 0:18:12]} Nbxd7 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 12. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:01:22]} Nxf6 $11 {
[%emt 0:01:41] Kramnik easily diffused Mamedyarov's Nimzo-Indian and it
quickly fizzled out to a draw.} 13. e3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:12:00]}
14. Rc1 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Rac8 $146 {[%emt 0:00:50]} (14... c5 15. dxc5 Rac8 16.
Bb5 Rxc5 17. Rxc5 bxc5 18. Ke2 Rb8 19. Rd1 Bd5 20. a4 Ne4 21. Nd2 Nd6 22. e4
Ba8 23. f3 Kf8 24. Nb3 Nxb5 25. axb5 Rxb5 26. Rd8+ Ke7 27. Rxa8 Rxb3 28. Rxa7+
Kf6 29. Ra2 g5 30. Kd2 h5 31. Kc2 Rb5 32. Kd2 Rb3 33. Kc2 Rb5 34. Ra7 g4 35.
Rc7 gxf3 36. gxf3 h4 37. h3 Ra5 38. Kb1 Kg6 39. b3 f6 40. Rc6 e5 41. Kb2 Kg5
42. Kb1 Ra8 43. Rxc5 Kf4 44. Rc6 {Span,P (2296)-Rotstein,A (2500) Netherlands
2008 0-1}) 15. Ne5 {[%emt 0:03:01]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:11:02]} 16. f3 {[%emt 0:06:
06]} c5 {[%emt 0:02:53]} 17. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:06:43]} 18.
Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Rxd7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 19. e4 {[%emt 0:03:30]} Kf8 {
[%emt 0:06:50]} 20. b4 {[%emt 0:03:22]} bxc5 {[%emt 0:01:52]} 21. Bb5 {[%emt 0:
00:12]} Rdc7 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 22. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} cxb4 {[%emt 0:00:47]}
23. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 24. Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxc1
{[%emt 0:00:08]} 25. Kxc1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 26. Kd2 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 27. Kd3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} 28. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 29. g4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} g5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 30. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bc8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "1:02:54"]
[BlackClock "0:19:49"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 6. Nxd4
{[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. c3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 8. Na3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c6 {[%emt 0:17:02]} 9. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} O-O {
[%emt 0:00:12]} 10. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} h6 $146 {[%emt 0:17:35]} (10... d6 11.
Nc4 h6 12. Bh4 Be6 13. Nxb6 axb6 14. a3 Qe7 15. Bc2 Rad8 16. d4 Rfe8 17. Qf3 b5
18. h3 Bc8 19. Rae1 Be6 20. Kh1 Bc8 21. Bd3 Be6 22. Bc2 {1/2-1/2 (22)
Venkatesh,M (2450)-Gupta,A (2412) Bikaner 2004}) 11. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} d5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 12. exd5 {[%emt 0:04:19]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 13. Bb3 {
[%emt 0:09:26]} g5 {[%emt 0:12:06][%csl Rf5,Rg6,Rh6] The other hard-fought
game of the round. White always had some lingering positional advantages in
the position, especially targeting Black's weak pawns on the kingside. However
Andreikin always had some nagging counterplay with his active pieces. Topalov
managed to win a pawn but his own structure was compromised, eventually
leading to an easily drawn bishop endgame.} 14. Bg3 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Re8 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 15. Re1 {[%emt 0:07:34]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:04:41]} 16. Nc2 {[%emt 0:
02:09]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:11:47]} 17. Qd2 {[%emt 0:06:26]} d4 {[%emt 0:05:00]} 18.
h3 {[%emt 0:14:22]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 19. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:
04:48]} 20. Bxd7 {[%emt 0:00:35]} dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 21. Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:
45]} Nxd7 {[%emt 0:03:11]} 22. d4 {[%emt 0:03:04]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 23. Qb3
{[%emt 0:02:51]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:06:18]} 24. Re2 {[%emt 0:03:25]} exd4 {[%emt 0:
05:00]} 25. Rxe8+ {[%emt 0:02:58]} Qxe8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 26. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 27. Qf3 {[%emt 0:09:56]} Qe4 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 28. Nf5
{[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxf3 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 29. gxf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:
00:32]} 30. Nxh6+ {[%emt 0:02:41]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 31. Nf5+ {[%emt 0:00:
04]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 32. Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:10:21]} 33. Nc4
{[%emt 0:03:12]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 34. Re1 {[%emt 0:05:32]} Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} 35. b3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Rd5 {[%emt 0:03:34]} 36. Kf1 {[%emt 0:06:05]} Bc5
{[%emt 0:00:39]} 37. Re2 {[%emt 0:03:40]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 38. Rd2 {[%emt 0:
03:31]} Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 39. Nxd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 40.
Bb8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} f4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Ne4 {[%emt 0:03:53]} Be7 {[%emt 0:
05:55]} 42. Ba7 {[%emt 0:04:34]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:03:50]} 43. Bb6 {[%emt 0:00:18]}
Kh4 {[%emt 0:07:28]} 44. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:05:12]} 45. Bc5 {
[%emt 0:03:27]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:02:57]} 46. Bd6 {[%emt 0:01:53]} Kh4 {[%emt 0:02:
14]} 47. Bb4 {[%emt 0:02:38]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 48. Ba3 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Kg6
{[%emt 0:04:37]} 49. Kf1 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 50. Bb4 {
[%emt 0:00:15]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:02:50]} 51. Nd2 {[%emt 0:03:15]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:01:
21]} 52. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:05:05]} 53. Be7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kh4
{[%emt 0:02:02]} 54. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 55. Bb4 {
[%emt 0:05:26]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 56. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:
31]} 57. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 58. Kf1 {[%emt 0:02:54]} Kg6
{[%emt 0:02:18]} 59. Bd6 {[%emt 0:05:19]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 60. Ba3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. Bb2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:02:
45]} 62. a4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:02:05]} 63. Be5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kh4
{[%emt 0:03:33]} 64. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:46]} 65. Nxc5 {
[%emt 0:00:55]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 66. Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:03:
50]} 67. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Kxh3 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 68. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Kh2 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 69. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 1/2-1/2

Таблица